Mayor Shari Cantor and her husband, Michael Cantor, chair the West Hartford Art League’s annual fundraiser on Oct. 6, 2016.

Mayor Shari Cantor and Michael Cantor are chairs of the WHAL’s Party in the Park fundraiser. Submitted photo

Submitted

The West Hartford Art League will be holding its annual fundraiser, Party in the Park, this year on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Pond House. This annual event supports the West Hartford Art League’s many art programs and scholarships throughout the year.

This annual event is the 83 year old organizations major fundraiser, and the public is invited to come and support the non-profit arts organization, and enjoy a fun night out.

West Hartford Art League Executive Director Roxanne Stachelek notes, “We pride ourselves on offering affordable classes for all levels and ages of artists. We also offer a summer camp every July, which serves over 200 youth, and give local artists a chance to exhibit their work in our two galleries, that are always free and open to the public. In addition, we offer class scholarships, and award two college scholarships to high school seniors on an annual basis as well. This fundraiser helps support all these programs and is very important to our organization.”

Chairs of the 2016 event are West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and Michael Cantor, co-managing partner of Cantor Colburn LLP.

“My husband Michael and I are thrilled to be honorary co-chairs of the West Hartford Art League’s annual gala, Party in the Park. As a board member, I’ve seen firsthand the importance and the impact of the Art League for our region, whether it’s through amazing community outreach programs that make art accessible by bringing it into the community, scholarships, events, exhibitions, or classes to cultivate artists of all ages. Over the course of the last 83 years, the West Hartford Art League has grown into a leading and highly regarded arts organization, and one that Michael and I are proud to support,” Mayor Cantor said.

Scot Haney will serve as auctioneer for the West Hartford Art League’s Party in the Park. Submitted photo

Scot Haney of WFSB Channel 3 News and co-host of Better Connecticut will preside over the live auction which features a number of items including a week in Cape Cod at a four-bedroom house during high season, a distillery tasting, and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit in the orchestra with the musicians during a dress rehearsal with the Hartt Orchestra led by Edward Cumming, former music director of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. A house on the water overlooking Port Royal sound in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and a paella dinner for 20 will also be auctioned off. 

Proceeds from this event will go towards the West Hartford Art League’s Scholarship for Youth program, which offers full class tuition towards any of our year round art classes or camp, as well as the organization’s two college scholarship funds, which are need-based and awarded annually to high school seniors continuing their studies in art at a college or university.

Party in the Park will start at 5:30 p.m. with cocktail hour and a silent auction, followed by the live auction and dinner.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the West Hartford Art League’s website at www.westhartfordart.org/fundraisers/ or by calling the office at (860) 231-8019.

Party in the Park is sponsored by The Sandra and Arnold Chase Family Foundation, Peoples United Bank, and Blum Shapiro. For sponsorship information, please contact Roxanne Stachelek at [email protected].