Members raised $5,150 to match activity fee funds.
By Ansley Lewis
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Members of the Art Guild are once again packing their bags and heading to New York City.
Hearts set on visiting the Big Apple, 10 members raised more than $5,000 through fundraisers.
“We felt as a group that New York City was the perfect place to visit because the city offers so many different types of artwork as well as museums and galleries that we would have unlimited choices of places to visit,” Art Guild President Stephanie Solis said.
“New York shows where art is right now and where to get more exposure for your art,” Historian Maria Ramirez added.
The Art Guild previously traveled to New York in May of 2007, funded by the student activity fee. This time around the Student Activity Fee Committee approved a grant of $5,150.30 for the trip, but members had to match the funds given, bringing the overall cost to $10,300.60.
Solis said she looked for ways to cut costs for the trip.
“I work with the Marriott, so I was able to get a discount on the hotel. I also made sure that we would have passes for the subway,” Solis said.
Solis and Ramirez said members worked on at least 15 fundraisers during fall 2013.
Avitua said the group helped with last year’s King William Fair during Fiesta.
“We also do fundraising events like the upcoming King William Fair, where students who are in the Art Guild and in art classes get a chance to sell their work,” Avitua said.
Solis explained the purpose of the trip.
“Traveling to New York is going to give the Art Guild members, and myself, an idea of what it takes to be a successful artist in an extremely competitive city,” Solis said. “Also, visiting different museums and galleries will give each member an opportunity to be inspired by different artists and techniques that they could apply to their own work.”
Members plan to visit the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New Museum of Contemporary Art as well as several galleries.
“I’m looking forward to visiting the Museum of Modern art. I’m excited to see artwork that is not here — art that is different than the art in Texas,” Ramirez said.
The Art Guild meets 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Fridays in Room 204 of the visual arts center.
For more information, visit their Facebook page or join them on Orgsync.
