“Trip the Light on Art” Brings Harbor School Record-Breaking Support!

Harbor School’s 14th Annual Benefit Auction, "Trip the Light on Art," generated record-breaking support for the school and sold-out attendance – two "firsts" in the school’s history. In addition, the Special Appeal "Paddle Raise" – a new arts initiative – received a surprise challenge gift from Charley and Lanora Rosenberry that matched dollar-for-dollar all donations. With the added generosity of the Rosenberry’s, and a tremendous crowd of Harbor School families, alumni, faculty, trustees and friends, the new arts initiative raised over $40,000! Combined, the event raised over $109,000 in support of Harbor School.
 
"I am thrilled with the success of the evening! The highlight was the video of Harbor School children dancing with our community sponsors and creating art for the student gallery. It was inspiring to see so many people moved by the Arts Initiative vision," said Lanora Rosenberry, 2013 Auction Chair.
 
Auction Chair and current parent, Lanora Rosenberry, was motivated by Harbor School’s need for a new arts curriculum and program (including a dedicated classroom) and used her energies to pull together island artists, student art projects, and community support. Over 75 pieces of art were created by Harbor School students and over 40 island artists donated their work in support of the school’s vision for a new integrated arts curriculum.
 
Auction night was enhanced further by the visual lighting talents of Simon Clark of Stageworks and his extensive crew. The auction venue at Open Space, was transformed on the exterior by a fantastical show that illuminated student artwork, facilitated by Alisara Martin, and set the tone for a visually stunning night. Islander and Harbor School parent, Kevin Joyce, was master of ceremonies with Jennifer Sutherland as co-host. A special video presentation highlighting the students and their work was included during the Special Appeal, thanks to the efforts of Martha Enson, Harbor School parent, and Jeff Reid, parent and Harbor School trustee.
 
"We feel blessed to be teaching children on an island so filled with creative, generous artists. The benefits that we have gained from them have been wonders to behold, and with a revived arts curriculum, we hope to be able to contribute artistically to a community that has given us so much," said James Cardo, Head of School.
 
Harbor School is grateful to now be in a position to move forward and begin implementing a planned arts initiative – integrating art concepts and principles into the school’s core academic subjects, providing a broader spectrum of arts electives through drama, dance, music and visual arts, and adding a dedicated new studio art space on campus where it can all be housed. Islander, art educator and Harbor School grandparent Anita Halstead, has been engaged to consult on the new curriculum along with feedback and guidance from art instructors like Janice Campbell, Kathy Larsdotter, Dave Zike and Nadine Edelstein (who have taught art periodically at THS).
 
Harbor School welcomed over 180 guests on Saturday, March 30, 2013. In support of the event, over 30 current parents, alum families, trustees and friends volunteered their time and energy. A dozen Harbor School alumni were on hand to assist throughout the evening. The delicious culinary talents of May Kitchen + Bar, Casa Bonita, Express Cuisine, Nirvana and La Biondo Pizza provided the scrumptious "Taste of Vashon" dinner menu. Harbor School is especially grateful for the support of many businesses and individuals who sponsored the auction, they include: Sawbones, Henrybuilt, John L. Scott, Island Home Center & Lumber, Vashon Central, Stageworks, Meadow Creature, Seattle Mosaic Arts, Edward Jones, Fair Isle Animal Clinic, Blooms & Things, Charley & Lanora Rosenberry, the Jewson family, Jeff & Allison Reid, Connie Sorensen, and John Lewis. The night’s Business Partners featured in the silent auction also included support from Pandora’s, Spider’s Ski & Sports, Vashon Liquor Store and Vashon True Value.
 
All in all, it was a phenomenal success!