Create. Formulate. Innovate. This is the 2014-2015 theme for the Chatham’s Marketing Association (CMA). Each year, CMA chooses an avenue to create some type of social impact, and this year was the CMA Young Art 2014 Art Fair.
The fair was held on October 10 in Mellon Board Room. It showcased a collection of student artwork. The artists included Lorraine Yanjtovich, Christina Fortunato, Bonnie West, Lynzy Groves, and Anjelica Fortunato.
Project leaders say the art fair exceeded expectations.
“Our goals were met above and beyond,” said CMA member and event co-chair, Lynzy Groves. “Ultimately, we wanted to raise money for a good cause but we were also able to show the importance of art in the education of children. Without art as an outlet a lot of the kids at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh would struggle.”
A featured part of the fair was the wish tree and the silent auction. The wish tree was a concept developed by Groves.
“I wanted the wish tree to act as a way to give something visually stimulating that carries a message back to the kids at Children’s,” Groves said.
How the wish tree operates is an individual writes a message to the patients at Children’s sending them wishes for their future. The wish tree is currently stationed in the Falk building and will be put on display in Children’s.
As for the silent auction, Groves contacted the employees at the Free Care Fund to ask to showcase the children’s artwork. Little did she know that they would donate their work to the art fair
“I never thought they wouldn’t want their own creations back,” said Groves. “I have sentimental value with each piece I create and I figured they would, too. They surprised me and I wanted to see what I could do with their talent.”
Groves created the silent auction as a “classy” way to sell their work. The auction was very successful with every single piece from Children’s, a total of twenty-two pieces, sold.
Bringing the art fair into fruition was not a solo act. CMA collaborated with student organizations and local businesses to make the fair a success. The Artist Collective led by their president, Meg Scanlon, created interactive origami stars on each table along with light sculpture installations that were located at the entry ways for the Mellon Board Room.
Local businesses made their stamp on the art fair by donating their products for the CMA basket raffle. Businesses who participated include Artist and Craftsman, The Coffee Tree Roasters, Color Me Mine, Little’s, Michael’s, Sephora, Standard, Starbucks, Union Project, and Williams-Sonoma. There were 13 raffle baskets and all were sold. Funds raised will go to the CMA’s travel fund for their conference in New Orleans next year.
The Young Art Fair raised a total of $1,100. Part of these proceeds will go to the Free Care Fund at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The Free Care Fund provides care to every child, despite his or her family’s ability to pay for treatment. The fund is made possible through community donations. CMA’s contribution will help to provide care to children, who, due to meek finances, would otherwise go without.
CMA expects the art fair to become an annual event.
“We may change the date of the event for next year due to it being so close to mid-terms, which made planning stressful. However, it coincided with marketing week and helped CMA finish strong,” Groves said. “We may also change the integration of Children’s Hospital artwork. We would love to know more about the kids who donated their time and art. Hopefully we will next year.”