Interurban Center for the Arts to host Be Artful

Feb. 23 event supports art docent programs in local schools

  • Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:04pm
  • Life
Featured artist Wen Qian used coffee for this painting. COURTESY

Featured artist Wen Qian used coffee for this painting. COURTESY

The Interurban Center for the Arts hosts its fourth annual fundraiser, Be Artful, on Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Green River College’s Lindbloom Student Center, 12401 SE 320th St., Auburn.

All proceeds from the event supports art education in local elementary schools.

Guests can create their own masterpiece while enjoying signature bites, a silent auction and live music from Root5, a local Americana band. Participants can join two of three distinctive art activities. The event’s featured artist, Wen Qian, who will lead a painting project using coffee. Artist Alice Kares will lead a project using alcohol inks, and artist Miranda Ward will lead a painting project using wine and oil pastels.

“Art is a language. I use form and color instead of letters and numbers to communicate,” Qian said. “Every piece has its own story, and the beautiful part is each and every one of us perceives the story differently. Each person connects to the artist at various levels while looking at artwork. I communicate with the viewer by sharing my stories which show how I perceive the world.”

Previously called Painting with the Stars, this year’s event has a fresh feel with the guests becoming the artists, thus the name change – Be Artful.

“The Green River College Foundation is proud to make a difference in a child’s education by putting dedicated and caring adults into the lives of young children,” said Monica Tolas, ICA program director. “The ICA feels that all children should have the opportunity to perceive and imagine art. In our efforts as an organization and college, our mission is to level the playing field by providing excellence in education.”

Tickets are available online for $25 per person or $40 for two people. Guests must be 21 or older to participate. Casual attire is appropriate for those who want to create their own art.

For more information about Be Artful, contact Monica Tolas at 253-833-9111 ext. 2735 or via email at ica@greenriver.edu.

About the Interurban Center for the Arts

The ICA is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing local elementary school age children with arts education. The ICA has been an outreach program funded and supported by the Green River College Foundation for 32 years. The ICA supports 35 elementary schools in eight school districts, including 15 schools in the Kent School District. The ICA provides support to 500 adult volunteers who, in turn, bring monthly art lessons to nearly 17,000 elementary age school children. Better Education Through Art.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Life

t
Healthy Kids Day free event coming up April 20 at Kent YMCA

Activities to include face painting, bounce house and dodgeball

t
City of Kent offers space festival for families May 4 at ShoWare Center

Retired astronaut Jose M. Hernandez to speak at event

t
Kent Station to host Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30

Egg hunt for children ages 5 and under; scavenger hunt for kids ages 6 to 12

t
Major $2.9 million renovation coming to Kent’s Springwood Park

Project includes new playgrounds, multisport court, shelter and more

t
City to begin major renovations at Kent Commons Community Center

Work on $1.5 million project to start soon to upgrade recreation facility

Comic book collection is still a staple of Emerald City Comic Con. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Fandoms converge at Emerald City Comic Con

Even with big names at this year’s con, locals brought the good vibes to the nerdy weekend.

t
Spring is near as nesting eagles return to Riverbend in Kent

Eagles can be spotted near Riverbend Golf Complex and along the Green River and Interurban Trail

t
Kent YMCA to offer free Community Day on Saturday, Feb. 24

Facility will be open noon to 3 p.m. to all for swim, gym and other activities

Voiceover actor Kat Cressida will visit Auburn at Unlock the Con on Feb. 17-18 for meet and greets, an exclusive dinner with a Q&A panel and a Sunday “Brunch with the Bride.” (Courtesy photo)
Disney voice actor Kat Cressida to host meet and greet in Auburn

Tickets are available for this two-day fandom event at the Outlet Collection’s Unlock the Con on Feb. 17 and 18.

t
Performers wanted for return of ‘Kent Has Talent’ show

Registration starts Feb. 1; auditions March 23-24; show set for May 23

t
Cider & Ale Trail coming to historic downtown Kent March 8

Event to feature cideries, breweries, distilleries from Washington and Oregon