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Artisans Expo

Expo will benefit a new, permanent scholarship for adult students.

Artisans Expo

This past winter, an adult woman looking to finish her degree told Kathleen Reese, outreach coordinator for the Adult Studies Program (ASP) at Virginia Wesleyan College and Catherine Anninos, academic adviser, that she couldn't afford to go to college. 

"This woman really wanted to come here [Virginia Wesleyan] and finish her degree, but with three children she simply couldn't afford it," said Reese. "So at that moment we decided let's fix that problem and create our own ASP scholarship fund."

Within months, the two devised a plan for the program to raise money to establish a permanent scholarship for non-traditional students. For the first time ever, Virginia Wesleyan will host an Artisans Expo from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4, with a Special Preview Event at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2.

The weekend event will feature more than 50 local artists and artisans, highlighting an array of fine arts such as hand crafts, pottery, art glass, jewelry, metalwork and more. According to Reese, once the idea was brought up, it took off from there.

"There's such an emphasis at Virginia Wesleyan for arts and culture," said Reese. "Nothing along the line of an art show/sale has ever been done, so it was the natural thing for us to do."

For the 2007-08 academic year, a total of 237 adult students are enrolled in the program, and nearly 60 percent of them need some type of financial assistance to attend College. Since most adult students only take classes part-time, the opportunity for financial aid is limited, said Reese. 

The duo, who began working on the project and soliciting artists in February/March of this year, received an immediate response from the artists. By the summer, a majority of the spaces for the event were already reserved.  

"The artists, particularly on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, have been very grateful and appreciative of the event," said Anninos. "It's been exciting to see all the artwork and the project come together."

Exhibitors from across the arts are preparing for the big event.  At 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 individuals will have the opportunity to purchase breath-taking artwork, and bid on a variety of silent auction offerings at the Preview Party. The highlight of the evening will be a cast glass and metal piece, valued at $2,500, and designed by local artist Ali Rogan specifically for the event.

For months Reese and Anninos have been working non-stop on the event. They both agree it couldn't have been done without the support of the Virginia Wesleyan Community.

Several groups and individuals are involved in the event ranging from alumni, current students to College staff. ASP students and alumni have created a silent auction committee and volunteers to help with the Preview Party. In addition, students in Dr. Robert Albertson's, associate dean of the College and professor of management, business & economics, MBE Management 301 class are helping with the event.

The students are broken down into four groups, explained Albertson. One group is focusing on recruiting workers for the Expo and polling current and past students. Group two is assisting with the Alumni Reception to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the ASP, and also setting up an Ambassador Program. The last two groups, concessions and logistics, will be helping during the Expo to raise funds and assist the artisans.

"This class is involved heavily in the Artisans Expo because of two reasons," said Albertson. "To assist with the 25th anniversary and to raise funds and awareness of adult studies students at the College. The goal is to apply management theories and expertise to plan particular areas of the Artisans Expo."

10.24.07