Chautauquans at last year’s Party on the Quad, hosted by Chautauqua Visual Arts and Friends of CVA, bid on a work of art by Belinda Rogers titled “Harmonic Blues” on Aug. 3, 2023, at the Arts Quad. The fundraising event returns this year, set for Wednesday on the Quad, and tickets are still available.
Chautauqua, it’s time to dust off the old dancing shoes and prepare to stroll over to the School of Art campus for this year’s Party on the Quad, taking place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on the Arts Quad.
The annual event is hosted by Chautauqua Visual Arts and Friends of Chautauqua Visual Arts, and is the biggest fundraiser for resident artist scholarships — and the biggest celebration of the Institution’s visual arts community.
On the program for this year, CVA and FCVA will host both silent and live auctions of art made by artists-in-residence and Chautauquans, as has been done in years past. Attendees will also have the opportunity to tour the artists-in-residence studio.
FCVA member Lydia Strohl said Chautauquans should expect lots of dancing and festivities throughout the evening.
In years past, the event has welcomed guests with hors d’oeuvres and drinks, but this year the Party on the Quad will include a full catered dinner.
All proceeds from the Party on Art Quad benefit CVA. The primary goal for the funds, Strohl said, is to develop scholarships for the artist residency program so that artists can study at the Institution without facing barriers due to a lack of funds.
“First and foremost, we are funding scholarships so that people can come, so there’s no barriers to entry,” she said.
Last year’s event raised funds to make much-needed renovations to the Art Quad amid the School of Art’s programming pause and director search. This year, attendees will be able to see the repairs and renovations made to the facilities and will have the opportunity to engage with this year’s artists-in-residence.
Ticket sales and donations for this year’s event will support scholarships for next year’s artist residency program.
FCVA hopes that Party on the Quad will show that CVA is back and stronger than ever this year after the recent renovations and rejuvenated programming. Strohl hopes attendees will take advantage of the opportunity to simultaneously support CVA and dress up, dance and enjoy the art.
“Get dressed up and come out and dance,” she said. “It’s really a good opportunity for people to come out with their friends and come out and see some art.”
Party on the Art Quad is a ticketed event and tickets are available for purchase on the Chautauqua Visual Arts website under the “Events” page.
