STEVENS POINT, WIS. - Area residents may experience a carnival of artistic activity including visual art, theater and dance during the second annual "Arts Bash" in the Fine Arts Center of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point on Saturday, February 7. The event will be held from 7 to 10:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Courtyard.

The public is invited to attend and tickets are available for $35 at the door or by calling the College of Fine Arts and Communication at 715-346-3056. Proceeds from this event will support student artists at the university through scholarships, the Great Artists & Speakers Fund and a long-term student scholarship endowment.

The event promises an evening charged with creative energy, planners say. 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.

This eclectic and cosmopolitan party also will include a cash bar, hors d�oeuvres and desserts prepared by volunteer community gourmet chefs.

The first 250 ticket buyers will receive a piece of original art donated by students. A limited edition T-shirt will be produced especially for Arts Bash 2004 and will be available that evening for $10.

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.

Some of the supporting artists who have contributed works are Diana Black, Kevin Burnett, Diane Canfield, Shari M. Drake, Jim Dinkins, Joyce King, Laurel�s Art, Rosemary Mooney, Linda Martin Moore, Jeffrey Morin, Dawn Marie Olson, Justine Pawelski, Ronald Pixler, Gene Reineking, Jay Sandifer, Herb Sandmann, William Schierl, Richard Schneider, Annette Schuh, Rob Stolzer, Kristin Thielking, Thomas Dailing Designs, The Smith Scarabocchio Art Museum, Craig C. Walkowicz and Sonya Welter.

Arts Bash 2004 also is generously being supported by corporate donations from Delta Dental, Team Schierl Companies, Stora Enso North America, WSPT Radio, PRP Wine International, Spectra Print, Stevens Point Journal and Charter Communications.

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