Area residents may experience visual art, design, theater, and dance during the first "Arts Bash" in the Fine Arts Center of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with activities and demonstrations throughout the evening on Saturday, Feb. 8.

The event will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Fine Arts Courtyard. The eclectic gathering also will include a cash bar, hors d�oeuvres and desserts prepared by volunteer community chefs.

The public is invited to attend and tickets are available for $35 by calling the College of Fine Arts and Communication at (715) 346-3056. Proceeds from this event will support young artists at the university through a long-term student scholarship endowment.

The first 200 ticket buyers will receive a piece of original art donated by students. A limited edition T-shirt will be produced especially for Arts Bash 2003 and will be available that evening for $10.

The event promises an evening charged with creative energy, featuring student dance and theater performances, backstage technical arts demonstrations and a visual art showcase, planners say. They expect it to become an annual favorite in the community.

Students and faculty members from the Department of Art and Design and the Department of Theater and Dance will demonstrate their work and talents. Performances and presentations will include live musical theater numbers, improvised comedy routines, dance pieces and a pottery demonstration. Backstage tours will highlight the art of makeup and hair design, set building and lighting.

Contributors of $150 to $1,500 will receive professional artwork donated by community artists, faculty members and alumni. These pieces include jewelry, porcelain, glass, drawings, etchings, paintings and photographs. Tickets must be purchased by January 24 to be eligible to receive artwork.

Some of the supporting artists who have contributed works are Thomas Dailing, Brenda Gingles, Jacqueline Purcell-Callister, Carol Molepske, Linda Martin-Moore, Annette Shuh, Tim Klunder, Greg Swaim, William Schierl, Barbara Grover, Pauline Pray, James Dinkins, Beth Jolin, Myna Schneider, Lora Hagen, Paul Klein, Jerry Krause, Mike Metcalf, Tim Marcotte, Martha Fullmer, George Gard and Adam Ellyson. Faculty members donating works include Diane Bywaters, Susan Morrison, Bill McKee, Jeff Morin, Rob Stolzer, Mark Brueggeman, Diana Black, Anne-Bridget Gary, Kristin Thielking, Guillermo Penafiel, Caren Heft, as well as emeritus faculty members Arthur Hopper, David Smith and Dick Schneider.

Arts Bash 2003 also is supported by corporate donations from Delta Dental, Team Schierl Companies, Stora Enso North America, WSPT 1010 and Charter Communications.

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