So far we have had an unethical board member, his BFF, an anonymous public relations director/employee and a high school student defend the Pavilion’s Arts Night. Oh, and a misquoting, establishment loving arts reporter. Seems the well is gonna run dry here pretty soon, then what? The juror’s names might be released?

I couldn’t agree more with Ms. Beck’s letter, it is an honor to show in Arts Night, but don’t cloud the issue. I suggest Ms. Beck do some reading on ethics in juried shows. I also hope that here parents taught her something about respect, it is a two way street. Even though it was an ‘Honor’ to display my work at the Washington Pavilion (even if they stifled my marketing) it should also be an honor for them to have so many talented local artists in our community contributing to the place.

It is simple, respect the donating artists by telling them who their judge and jury was. Art is just not about honor, it is about respect and integrity to.

Determination, passion rewarded at Arts Night
By Kelsey A. Beck
Published Argus Leader: July 17, 2007

As a typical teenager, I spend my summer sleeping until noon, working at my first job and going on road trips every now and then. However, this spring I was given an experience not many people my age can say they have received: the chance to hang a piece of art in the same gallery as the most prominent artists in the city.

It was an honor being one of the select few chosen for Arts Night 2007 because it meant I took the place of someone who worked equally hard and invested just as much.

For the event I chose a photograph of the lit marquee on the Orpheum Theater downtown. I chose it because it won the grand prize of the Archeology and Historic Preservation Month photo contest.

I brought my piece to the Washington Pavilion in hopes it would be well-received, and to my luck, it was. I was extremely excited to get my acceptance letter because I had gone through the process start to finish the previous year with my dad and knew the fun of the events to come.

First up was Meet the Artists Night, where the public meets the faces behind the paint, ink, camera, etc. I met many wonderful people who loved my piece and couldn’t believe I still was in high school.

While the art was shown, various family members visited the Everist Gallery to vote for me for the People’s Choice award. One of the gallery workers voted for me as well. Even though I had no chance of winning and didn’t expect to, it was amazing to know that I got at least one vote that wasn’t biased.

Fast forward to Arts Night 2007. The auction is held on the stage of the Great Hall with all of the art as a backdrop. All I could say to my dad from the time I was accepted to the time we left the stage after the auction was that I was so pumped to be there.

One of the things I was looking forward to most was the meal. Leonardo’s Cafe always does a fabulous job, and this year was no different. At around 8 p.m., the awards were given, and the auction began. I can’t express how exciting it was to watch some of my personal favorites go as well as my own.

Looking back on all of the events makes me realize it didn’t come without work. I recently dug up some of my first pictures and laughed to myself because the majority were out of focus. It was funny because I remember at the time that I loved taking pictures no matter what came out of the camera.

Those first shots were taken seven years ago, and to this day I love photography just as much, if not more. Throughout my life I have been interested in many different things, but photography stuck. I believe that’s how I got to have a piece at the Pavilion: failure, determination and passion.

I want to thank the Washington Pavilion. I know Arts Night is a fundraiser for the Visual Arts
Center, but in return, the event gave me so many life lessons. For instance, by the end of the night, I was accustomed to shaking the hands and talking to some of the biggest professional business people in town. For someone who used to live comfortably in a box, that was quite an accomplishment.

I wish there were other words beside “thank you” because it seems I’ve overused that. I want anyone who helped put Arts Night together to know that I am truly grateful and can’t wait for next year.