Portage Park Foundation hosts art show fundraiser
The Portage Park District Foundation held its inaugural Nature’s Store Holiday Art Show & Sale at the Downtown Gallery in Kent Dec. 9, 10 and 11.
The Foundation, which is a 501c3 non-profit organization, was established in 2010 with a mission to support the Portage Park District. Sally Kandel, vice president of the Portage Park District Foundation, said this event was aimed at generating funds for certain projects established in the Park District’s Master Plan, which was finalized in November—although she was not able to discuss which projects specifically.
“Portage Park District is one of the poorest park districts in Ohio,” Kandel said. “Our goal is always to raise more money for the Park District for improvements and programs.”
Along with the Park Foundation, Portage Park District receives funding from a ½ mill property tax levy approved by voters in 2014. This levy is expected to generate about $1.6 million per year for the Park District for 10 years. (You can learn about mill tax and millage rate here).
“Before the levy, the Foundation was responsible for keeping the lights on,” Kandel said. “Before that [The Park District] was running on only $99,000 per year.”
More than 150 nature-inspired art pieces were available for purchase during the grand opening, held on Dec. 9 from 4:30-7 p.m., with 32 local artists and one artist from Florida represented in the show. The artwork ranged from $50 to $1,000 per piece and with each piece sold, 40 percent of the profits went to the Foundation and 60 percent to the artist.
Medina resident Rick Surowicz had five watercolor paintings in the show. After seeing the Foundation’s call for artists at one of the local art events, Surowicz decided to enter.
“I just recently got back into painting this year,” Surowicz said. “This show is really an opportunity to participate in the community and get more involved with local artists.”
University of Akron student Lesley Wilmoth also had 5 pieces in the show—all wildlife photographs.
“Nature photography was always more of a hobby for me because I study commercial photography at school,” Wilmoth said. “But, I’m graduating after this semester and I hope to get some connections and experience in this show before I go out in the real world.”
The art show is just one of the fundraisers the Foundation does throughout the year. Linda Seeman, foundation member, said the organization hosts the Environmental Conservation Awards Dinner every spring, which honors community members that support the parks and environmental causes.
“The dinner also raises money for the Foundation with a silent auction and 50/50 raffle,” Seeman said.
The remaining events on the 2016 calendar and next year’s 2017 upcoming programs and activities can be found on the Portage Park District website.
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Portage Park Foundation held its inaugural holiday art show this weekend to benefit the Park District #JMCRPP https://t.co/isPU8GkXUi
— Felicia Guadagni (@granolaguadagni) December 11, 2016
Portage Park Foundations hosts first holiday art show to benefit local parks. https://t.co/uWJG62mwQr
— Lauren Blue (@LaurenBlueRPP) December 12, 2016
The Portage Park District Foundation has exciting new events in store for the area. Want to learn more? #JMCRPP
— Gabrielle Payne (@GabiePayne) December 13, 2016
