ArtFest in the West Raises $13,600 for Arts Education

Following a successful fundraising event, ArtFest in the West, held on March 9, 2018, the non- profit organization Arts in Western Education (AWE) is distributing grants for a wide range of arts projects, fulfilling requests from arts teachers in western Albemarle County public schools. The ArtFest in the West event was a lively night of family fun with approximately 300 in attendance, featuring student music and drama performances, visual arts displays, a silent auction, and “Out of this World” kids’ activities.

The event raised over $13,600 and will allow AWE to fund twelve grants submitted by arts teachers.
 

The following grants have been made:

• Western Albemarle High School (WAHS) Choir – concert dresses
• WAHS Band – parade banner and sound system
• WAHS Drama – speakers, transmitter/receivers, and microphone system
• WAHS Creative Writing – Myriad publication printing costs
• WAHS Fine Arts – Blue Trees Project and acrylic wall mount frame
• Henley Middle School Choir – concert dresses
• Brownsville Elementary – drying racks for art projects
• Crozet Elementary – six Amazon Fire tablets and materials for costumes/props
• Merriweather Lewis Elementary – sound system
 

Jim Lambert, President of the AWE Board of Directors, said, “We appreciate the support of everyone who joined us for this extraordinary evening and supported our efforts to provide quality arts programming for all students in the western part of our county.”

Platinum and Gold Sponsors of this year’s ArtFest in the West were The Boar’s Head Inn & Spa, Craig Builders, Light House Studio, Raising Cane’s, Stanley Martin Homes, Savvy Rest, and WorldStrides. The business community’s support, with sponsorships and in-kind donations, made the event a success.