Vassar Art Sale to Boost Haitians Raises Over $26,000

The purchase of nearly 200 Haitian art works at a public sale held by Vassar College from April 12-13, raised over $26,000 to help feed and educate children in the Caribbean nation. The College's second annual art fundraiser for the children of Charmaitre, a remote village in northwestern Haiti, more than doubled last year's proceeds.

"Attendance was phenomenal, and most of the art we brought up from Haiti was sold," explained Andrew Meade, Assistant to the Dean of the College, and chair of the Vassar Haiti Project. "Very few people purchased more than one piece, which means that over a third of the 500 people who came out bought something. In paintings alone, we sold 125 of the 190 pieces up for sale."

Suzanne Murphy's successful silent bid from North Carolina for "Mother and Child", an oil painting by Haitian Pierro Maxo, was one of the most unusual results of the two-day fundraising event.

The 2003 Haitian Art Exhibit and Sale culminated a week of related public events at Vassar, meant to raise awareness and support for Haiti. Activities included a lecture on Haitian art by Vassar Hispanic

Studies professor Lisa Paravisini, a Haitian history talk by area resident and Haiti native Mark Coq, and a joint performance by poet Denize Lauture and classical guitarist Marc Mathelier.

Bob Raisch of Poughkeepsie's John Lane Gallery was one of many community and campus members who found creative ways to donate time and money on behalf of Vassar's fundraiser for Haitian children. Raisch provided his shop for a crew of Vassar volunteers to stretch 30 of the art show's unframed canvasses, and he donated 20% of the billings for every purchased Haitian piece framed by his gallery.

Vassar students also spoke with their stomachs on behalf of the fundraiser. The Debate Society collected $1000 worth of student meal plan points to cover all the food costs of the week's Haiti-focused events, and the South Asian Study Alliance donated proceeds from their recent smoothie sale.

Vassar's Andrew Meade was very encouraged by the increased interest in this second annual event. "Many people told me they returned to the show to purchase works by the same artist they'd discovered last year." Meade also explained that over two dozen members of the local Haitian community attended the exhibit and sale.

More information on the Vassar Haiti Project is available at http://outreach.Vassar.edu/haitiproject, and through Andrew Meade at (845) 437-5831.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Monday, April 14th, 2003.