Elizabeth Taylor-Mead, of the Coolidge Corner Theatre with her palette of artists in the movies.
Sunday, April 30, the Brookline Arts Center held its annual Cirque de Palette! fundraising event and the turn out was amazing. This yearly fundraiser centers on the art created by local Brookline artists and celebrities. Participating artists create and donate beautiful works of art on palettes which are then displayed around Brookline in prominent business locations. Interested parties can then go online to bid on the artwork.
During this year’s fundraiser, a few select pieces were on display and available for bidding. The event was hosted by three local and prominent figures in the Brookline art community, including Gary Wolf, author of Who Censored Roger Rabbit, Denise Kasell, executive director of the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and Lisa Graham, conductor at Wellesley College. The Brookline Arts Center did an amazing job bringing together professionals from three different artistic backgrounds to showcase their devotion to the arts.
The fundraiser itself brought in about 130-150 guests and helped to raise over $20,000. The money raised through Cirque de Palette! will be used to provide scholarships of different amounts to aspiring artists from low-income environments. The Brookline Arts Center will also be able to extend the free classes it provides to low-income children and senior citizens. Between the scholarships and free art classes, the fundraiser will provide around 150 people with opportunities to continue to pursue their love of the arts.
“It was amazing, the artists did so much to make sure we could raise enough for scholarships,” said an overjoyed Susan Navarre, Executive Director of the Brookline Arts Center. Without the contributions of the artists and the support of the Brookline community, the event could not have been as nearly successful. It’s a great feeling to know there are still those who brighten their community through the perseveration of the arts.
By David Dylengoski
