Gallery r Gala-Art-Auction at RIT’s Student Innovation Center March 25

‌

Alan Singer

Art patrons: You may become the proud owner of a smoke-fired bowl, a silver brooch, a digital print, a set of glass flowers or a riveting portrait of a short-eared owl.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s student-run gallery celebrates 11 years on Park Avenue, and all ticket holders who attend the annual Gallery r benefit will leave with a beautiful work of art donated by RIT friends, students, alumni and faculty—signature pieces that may be worth more than the $100 benefit ticket price. The gala auction event with emcee Norma Holland, 13 WHAM-TV news anchor, will be held at RIT’s Student Innovation Center on March 25. A reception with live music, light hors d’oeuvres, desserts and cash bar will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with an art drawing scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m.

“Our community-wide gala helps create awareness of RIT student and faculty art while bringing together family and friends,” says Zerbe Sodervick, Gallery r coordinator and director of extended studies at RIT. “I love to see patrons leaving the event—carefully hugging a glass or bronze sculpture, wearing a beautiful necklace or bracelet, or admiring their newly acquired painting or print.

“The look on their faces says it all. This is the perfect relationship between the university, the artistic community and business partners.”

Gallery r is open all year long and features contemporary art in a professional gallery setting where students meet the same challenges and expectations that confront established artists. The gallery rose to an auspicious start with more than 1,500 visitors when it opened its doors during the Park Avenue festival 11 years ago. Since then, it has built a reputation for showcasing 12 innovative exhibitions a year, provided educational opportunities, and fostered collaborations with the public, other arts institutions and community groups.