Scholarships

Annual benefit ARTS by George! raises more than $250,000 in support of Mason Arts

Kirstin Franko — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 22:26:37 +0000

Annual benefit ARTS by George! raises more than $250,000 in support of Mason Arts Kirstin Franko Wed, 10/02/2024 - 18:26

CVPA Dean Rick Davis raises a toast with Lea Salonga following her performance. Credit: Risdon Photography

George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) celebrated another joy-filled and well-attended ARTS by George! benefit event on September 28. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the evening’s festivities raised more than $250,000 to support student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. This year’s generous donations and sponsorships bring the total of funds raised through ARTS by George! since its inception in 2006 to nearly $4.4 million.

Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University, was in attendance at the benefit event. “We’re proud that George Mason is the cultural hub of our region. The arts is one of the front doors to attract visitors of all ages and backgrounds to our campuses. We’re pleased that so many of you have found your way through our door to become involved with CVPA, and to be here with us this evening,” he said.

Students from George Mason University’s School of Dance performed rotating showcases in front of audiences. Credit: Risdon Photography

ARTS by George! began at 5 p.m. on September 28 with more than 225 CVPA students and faculty joining to present 18 performances and exhibits for guests to enjoy. The entire freshman class of George Mason’s School of Dance launched the dance showcases, while an immersive screening room drew guests in to watch student films from the Film and Video Studies program. The School of Theater gave guests a preview of its upcoming fall musical production, the School of Art created an interactive photo booth installation, and Computer Game Design students and faculty brought guests into a new world with virtual reality demonstrations. Alumni from the Arts Management program joyfully reconnected with friends and faculty alike, posing for photos throughout the event, while vocalists and musicians from the Dewberry School of Music delighted guests with a variety of performances ranging from opera to jazz.

“ARTS by George! kicked off with dozens of showcases featuring gifted visual and performing arts students. For those of you lucky enough to experience it, I hope you were impressed not only with their immense talent, but also with the breadth and depth of what Mason Arts has to offer,” remarked Rick Davis, Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Ashlyn Rock, a graduate of George Mason University’s Dewberry School of Music, sings for the Center for the Arts audience prior to Lea Salonga's performance. Credit: Risdon Photography

At 8 p.m., guests transitioned to the Center for the Arts for a live Fund-A-Student appeal that contributed more than $28,000 towards the total amount raised at the event. In a beloved annual tradition, a distinguished Mason Arts graduate returned to the stage to perform before the evening’s headlining concert. This year, Dewberry School of Music alumna Ashlyn Rock offered a soaring rendition of “Sempre libera” from Verdi's La Traviata, receiving a standing ovation.

An Evening with Lea Salonga followed at 8:30 p.m., where the celebrated performer presented a concert of popular songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films. The evening’s program concluded with an onstage champagne toast, during which Salonga and Davis mingled with CVPA students and faculty as well as ARTS by George! guests and supporters.

For complete information about ARTS by George!, including scholarship stories, a schedule of student showcases, previous ARTS by George! images, and more visit the event website. The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! was Dominion Energy and the Presenting Sponsor was Sandy Spring Bank. The event chair was Annie Bolger.

Lea Salonga (center) with George Mason University President Gregory Washington (right) and his wife Nicole Washington (left), following the performance backstage. Credit: Risdon Photography

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ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome George Mason students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features George Mason’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

**2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:**

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

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