PNCA Launches Centennial Year with Fundraising Gala
May 10, 2009
On May 9, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) kicked off its Centennial celebration year as the region’s leading college of art and design. Over 400 guests attended the PNCA Centennial Gala: Black Tie Birthday Bash, a testament to the College’s extraordinary momentum and its long and rich history.
With a 360-degree view of the city from the eighth floor of the Machine Works Building, PNCA’s community of supporters demonstrated their commitment to the College by giving generously to its future.
The Black Tie Birthday Bash and the Benefit Art Auction held earlier in the spring raised nearly $500,000 for PNCA’s Centennial Campaign for PNCA+FIVE, a $32 million effort to endow scholarships, professorships, and academic programs; acquire and renovate its campus, and support ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, donors have contributed more than $3 million, bringing the campaign total to more than $27 million.
At the Centennial Gala, President Tom Manley announced that Campaign Chairman Lee Kelly ‘59 has bequeathed his Oregon City studio and garden as a permanent artist and residence center for PNCA. “This is an incredible gift from the heart from one of the College’s most distinguished alumni,” said Manley.
Harold and Arlene Schnitzer were the Honorary Chairs of PNCA’s Centennial Gala and PNCA board member Kathleen Lewis served as the Gala Committee Chair. In addition, PNCA presented its first Civic Imagination Award to the Honorable Vera Katz, Mayor of the City of Portland from 1992 to 2004. The award recognized Mrs. Katz’s instrumental role in shaping Portland’s civic and cultural landscape.
“Watch the Centennial Short Film”:http://www.pnca.edu/about/centennial/, produced by Portland-based golightly films.
About PNCA
Since its founding in 1909, Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) has become a leader in innovative educational programming that connects students to a global perspective in the visual arts. The College offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Communication Design, Illustration, Intermedia, General Fine Arts, Painting, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture. In addition, the College offers a mentor-based MFA in Visual Studies and a new joint MFA in Applied Craft and Design with Oregon College of Art and Craft. PNCA has the oldest continuously running community arts education program in the Northwest. From its base in the heart of the Pearl district, PNCA is actively involved in Portland’s cultural programming through exhibitions and a vibrant public program of lectures and visiting artists from around the world. In conjunction with its Ford Institute for Visual Education (FIVE), the College is pleased to present PNCA + FIVE Idea Studios, which bring internationally renowned artists such as James Turrell, philosopher Jacques Rancière, art critic Saul Ostrow, and theorist Tom Zummer. Visit on-line for a full events calendar and to learn more about PNCA’s BFA degree, MFA in Visual Studies or Continuing Education courses for all ages and skill levels.