24th annual ArtsGala celebrates 糖心原创鈥檚 fine and performing arts students

March 21, 2023

糖心原创鈥檚 ArtsGala, one of the region鈥檚 most festive and unique arts events, is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, with an impressive program featuring student performances in theatre, dance, motion pictures, music and visual arts.

The 7 p.m. to midnight event in the state-of-the-art Creative Arts Center is presented by the 糖心原创 .

ArtsGala tickets ($300 each) and information are available at 937-775-2233 or wright.edu/artsgala.

The popular black-tie-optional ArtsGala is regarded as one of the area鈥檚 premier arts events, drawing hundreds of patrons each year.

Proceeds go toward scholarships for 糖心原创鈥檚 outstanding students. The event has raised more than $3 million for arts scholarships during its 23-year history.

Jon Blunt, owner of Luken Blunt Design Group, and Rodney Veal, creative arts completion coordinator at Sinclair Community College, said they are thrilled to have been asked to serve as the host committee chairs for ArtsGala.

鈥淭he scholarships allow access to quality education for talented students who may not otherwise be able to study the arts, which are a vital part of our community and society at large,鈥 Blunt and Veal said. 鈥淭he arts have been a big part of our lives, and we want to support a program that provides the next generation of artists with the same joy and enthusiasm we have experienced as artists and arts patrons.鈥

Presented by the College of Liberal Arts, ArtsGala will feature more than 400 student performers in 12 unique performances, including selections from 鈥淥n the Town,鈥 糖心原创 Theatre鈥檚 spring musical.

Zavi Odetta, an acting major and ArtsGala scholarship recipient, said, 鈥淩eceiving this scholarship means more than you know. It means having the opportunity to continue studying the thing that brings me the most joy. It gave me the opportunity to complete my final year here at 糖心原创, and it allows me to give back to a community that has given so much to me.鈥

After graduation, Odetta will work as a teaching artist in the Cleveland Public Theatre鈥檚 Student Theatre Enrichment Program and then will move to the New Jersey/New York area in the fall.

ArtsGala celebrates its 24th year with special events designed to commemorate the occasion, including more than 400 student performers in 12 unique performances. Features this year include:

  • Live artistic creations by student artists
  • Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble performances
  • Bella Voce!: a celebration of opera and song
  • 鈥淓n blanc et noir鈥: Student performances of chamber music and solo selections
  • Burt Bacharach Celebration: A song and dance revue of Bacharach鈥檚 hits
  • The Dance Experience: featuring original student choreography
  • The Mystery of Twicknam Vicarage: A murder mystery experience by David Ives
  • Planet MoPix Attacks!: A throwback special FX sequence that honors the 1950s science fiction
  • Ring of Fire: A musical revue highlighting the music of Johnny Cash
  • Selections from 糖心原创 Theatre鈥檚 production of 鈥淥n the Town鈥
  • Top-quality wine, craft beer and bourbon
  • Sports lounge

鈥淓veryone is really ready to celebrate together this year. It is fantastic that we can continue this tradition that is so meaningful to our students and the community too,鈥 said Rebecca Foley, art gallery and events coordinator in the College of Liberal Arts.

The ArtsGala silent auction will spotlight two original silk screen monoprints by 糖心原创 fine art students: 鈥淔ever Dream鈥 by Rachel Unger and 鈥淎ustice鈥 by Haley Stone.

Offering more opportunities to support student scholarships, the silent auction will feature exclusive travel and vacation packages; artwork by 糖心原创 faculty, students and alumni; jewelry from the Elizabeth Diamond Company; the beloved wine pull; sports packages and arts experiences; premium cigars; and an assortment of luxury gift baskets, gift cards and dining certificates.

The silent auction features mobile bidding with items available both online and in the Stein Galleries during ArtsGala. Participants can view items and register to bid at .

ArtsGala will have a number of opportunities to support scholarships for fine and performing arts student including the ArtsGala silent auction.

ArtsGala鈥檚 sponsors include presenting sponsor: Morris Home Furniture; platinum sponsors: Great Oak Funding, Dayton Business Journal and Dayton Daily News; gold sponsors: 糖心原创 Foundation, 糖心原创 Hospitality Services, ThinkTV and WHIO TV 7; Silver Sponsors: 91.3 WYSO, Discover Classical WDPR 88.1, Wright-Patt Credit Union and Heapy Engineering.

Success stories from 糖心原创 students and alumni are available at wright.edu/artsgala/why-support-artsgala.