The Art Center hosts A Night in the Garden and Open House March 28 & 29

The Visual Arts Center of New Jersey is set to host it’s annual For Art’s Sake event with “A Night in the Garden: Art Auction & Gala” on Saturday, March 28 and an Open House community event on Sunday, March 29. Proceeds from the Gala will support the Art Center’s mission of bringing art and people together.

A “Kick-Off” event was held on Friday, January 30 at the home of event Co-chair, Elisa Zachary, and her husband, Louis. Attendees included Mayor Ellen Dickson as well as the event’s honorary Chair Betse Gump, Co-chairs Kelly Deere, Jill Klieger and over 50 guests and sponsors. For Art’s Sake has been celebrated at the Art Center for almost a decade. Guests can bid on one-of-a-kind art donated by professional artists and will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails provided by David Ellis Events. This year the Gala will be held in the Art Center’s Main Gallery amongst the splendor of the current international garden exhibition by Australian artist Gary Carsley. Tickets for the Gala & Auction and VIP event will be available in February online at www.artcenternj.org/FAS.

Sunday’s Open House will be a unique celebration of art and community. Open to all, the afternoon will feature different art workshops and demonstrations. Entertainment will be provided by Segunda Quimbamba, a percussion and dance ensemble from Jersey City, bringing Puerto Rico’s traditional Bomba and Plena drum music and dance to Summit. There will also be kid-friendly fare from a variety of food vendors. In past years, the Open House has welcomed over 750 people.

For Art’s Sake premier sponsors include: David Ellis Events, Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper and in-kind sponsors Bai Brands and NJ Kids Media. Individual sponsors include: Kelly Deere and Lee Shavel, Marie and Roy Alan Cohen, Millie and Jack Cooper, Betse and Frank Gump, Elisa and Louis Zachary, Jill and Ben Klieger, Lacey and Ed Rzesowski, Ellen and Chip Dickson, Sarah and Del Johnson, Phyllis and Lewis Sank, Lisa Butler and Robert Kelly. Top sponsors and VIP ticket holders will be invited to an exclusive reception on Friday, March 27 that will include cocktails and light refreshments, a chance to meet the artists, preview the art, and place a sealed bid prior to Saturday night’s auction.

ABOUT THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF NEW JERSEY

For more than 80 years, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey has been exclusively dedicated to viewing, making and learning about contemporary art. Recognized as a leading non-profit arts organization, the Art Center’s renowned studio school, acclaimed exhibitions, and educational outreach initiatives serve thousands of youth, families, seniors and people with special needs every year.