Michele Keane, left, and Sharon McClymonds, right, observe Judith Gregory’s piece “Danty Dancing” during the Party on the Art Quad July 30, 2025.
JENELL TAYLOR
Staff writer
Party on the Art Quad, the annual fundraising celebration hosted by Friends of Chautauqua Visual Arts, returns to Chautauqua Institution grounds from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday on the Arts Quad. This year, FCVA is shaking things up with a new collection of floral centerpieces in addition to the assortment of artworks.
FCVA board members Amanda Berg and Belinda Rogers have been working diligently to pull the gala — themed “Art in Bloom” — together, and they said they hope Chautauquans will find the time to attend.
“This is a celebration of art in many different forms,” said Rogers.
Berg and Rogers expressed excitement toward seeing the community come together and appreciate art with one another in a space that values art as work.
Party on the Art Quad is hosted annually as a way of inviting the community into Chautauqua’s visual arts ecosystem and raising funds for Chautauqua Visual Arts student scholarships.
The gala is “in bloom” this year thanks to a collaboration with Chautauqua’s floral designers; local florists have curated original floral arrangements inspired by the artwork featured in the event to create a unique celebration of artistic expression. The arrangements and the works they portray will be auctioned off throughout the night.
Chautauquans can also put their own art skills to the test by experiencing a new block-printing station added this year. In a session led by a CVA instructor, guests will have the opportunity to print a design of their choosing on a selection of hand-carved blocks made by CVA residents and guest artists.
“Guided through the process, each participant will leave with a hand-pulled block print to take home,” CVA Administrative Assistant Gloria Shows said.
In addition to aiding fundraising efforts, Chautauquans can meet the School of Art’s artists-in-residence and visit their studios to witness firsthand how the community’s impact directly influences their practice.
The event will also feature live music, including an exclusive cocktail-hour performance by the Music School Festival Orchestra’s student quartet and a post-auction set by Chautauqua favorite DJ Felix Ortiz. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will also be served.
“This is the keystone opportunity of the summer,” said Berg. “It always sells out.”
Tickets are available for purchase at arts.chq.org under the “Events” dropdown menu.
