The College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Friends of the Arts will host its 49th annual Le Grand Bal, March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to midnight in the Setzer Student Center. This year’s theme is “We Are Family”.
“We’ve got some wonderful honorees, Rob Clark and Jerry Thacker,” Golden Wright, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication, said. “They’re amazing individuals that continuously give back to Lamar University, especially the art department. Michael Kennaugh is a Lamar graduate. He’s our artist honoree. I think those honorees couldn’t be more deserved.”
Alongside spotlighting honorees, live music and student performances, guests can participate in a silent art auction held in the Setzer Center for the first time.
“Patrons will be able to look and bid on artwork from students and community members,” Emily Lewis-Zazzaro, administrative coordinator for the department of art and design, said.
Artwork is donated by students and local artists.
Wright said students are involved from start to finish, whether it is with the auction, performances, or helping behind the scenes.
“They help with setup,” he said. “They perform at the event. They’re promoting their own artwork. They tear down at the end there, they’ll help set up the auction and when people purchase the auction items, they help with taking those paintings, drawings and sculptures when the patrons come back to pay for them.”
Lewis-Zazzaro said students are able to network with members of the community and gain experience selling artwork by participating in the event.
“I think there’s a number of reasons to have the students involved,” Wright said. “The students benefit, but I think that the patrons and donors also really appreciate being able to see those talented individuals that we’re investing time, money and effort into.”
This event is the college’s biggest fundraiser, and has provided students with scholarships, helped send students to conferences and paid for guest artists, among other uses through the years, Wright said.
“Each of the departments gets a certain amount of money,” Wright said. “They get to decide how they want to use that money in order to help their students. Certain funds (in higher education) you can only use in certain ways. These funds, we can use any way that we want in order for student success.”
Wright said that there are still tables and chairs available for purchase.
For tickets and more, visit lamar.edu/fine-arts-communication/fine-arts-communication/le-grand-bal.