Nine teens to be recognized for fundraising efforts during 91st annual Beaux Arts Ball on March 26

QUINCY — The Quincy Art Center will be the host of the 91st annual Beaux Arts Ball from 6-10 p.m. March 26 at the Oakley Lindsay Center. Nine local teens who have been volunteering and fundraising for the center will be recognized.

Doors open at 6 p.m. A cash bar will be offered. The awards ceremony begins at 7 p.m., followed by dancing, a photo booth and more. Ryan Mumma, host and producer of WGEM SportsCenter, is the emcee for the event.

Tickets are $20 per person or $100 for a table of eight in advance. Tickets will be sold at the door for $25. The senior and junior students are raising funds for the center through ticket sales and donations. The student who raises the most money will be named Philanthropic Champion of the Year and receive a $500 educational scholarship. The student who volunteers the most hours will be named Volunteer Champion of the Year and receive a $500 educational scholarship.

The teens participating this year are Raea Rockwell, senior; Luke Dotson, junior; Saya Geisendorfer, junior; Evie Schuetz, junior; Evan Rockwell, sophomore; Amber Carmean, freshman; Charly Nicholson, freshman; Isaac Schuetz, freshman; and Alex Strong, freshman.

Funding from the ball helps the center continue its mission to provide opportunities for growth and appreciation of the visual fine arts through exhibitions and programs in our community. Participants also this year had the opportunity to attend four professional development workshops taught by area professionals. They took part in an art workshop and led an art class for students in grades K-3 at The Art Center.

The Beaux Arts Ball began in 1930.

“The Art Center has helped me find my various art-related talents through different medias,” Dotson said in a press release. “It showed me what I’m capable of, not just in art but also in helping the community. The Art Center has made me learn what my strengths and weaknesses are and understand what I’m capable of.

“However, The Art Center has not just impacted in art. Through the Beaux Arts Ball, I’ve learned to understand the necessity for volunteerism and need for more people expressing their emotions through beautiful works of art.”

“The reason I love to volunteer at the Art Center is because art has always been a part of me,” Nicholson said. “When I was younger, I had taken art classes here and loved every minute of it. Volunteering here has made me want to give back to the Art Center for what they have given me over the years. They gave me the opportunity to express myself and find a love for art. I want to give that experience to someone else.

“By helping with fundraisers, as well as being a part of classes to bring people together is something I want to do to make a difference in this community. I want to show others the true love of art.”

Tickets can be bought at the Art Center, 1515 Jersey, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday; online at quincyartcenter.org; or from a junior or senior Beaux Arts participant. Major sponsors are Argabright Electric, Blessing Health System, Calftown Cafe, McNay Truck Line, Popp’N on Maine, Quincy Medical Group, Quincy Recycle, Refreshment Services Pepsi, and TI-Trust.