Ladies in dresses and men in suits making polite conversation and nibbling hors d’oeuvres – that generally describes most fundraising galas – but it doesn’t begin to describe Carver Celebration 2005, the second annual fundraising event for the Carver Center for Arts and Technology Foundation.

At Carver Celebration 2005, the air practically buzzed with creative energy as students performed theater pieces, demonstrated cosmetology techniques, created sculptures, wrote poetry on demand, made portraits and caricatures of event guests, prepared and served fabulous food, hosted telemedia screenings, and created carpentry projects. A popular silent auction featured donated goods as well as artwork by students, alumni, and faculty.

“This was the first foundation fundraising event to be held at the school and include students doing what Carver kids do best,” says Sally Gold, event chair and a Carver Center Foundation board member. “More than 400 people were in attendance, and we raised approximately $21,000 to provide much needed support for our prime departments. Our prime department chairs have needs that differ greatly from a traditional high school, such as visiting artist fees, dance competition entry fees and traveling expenses, art supplies, video cameras, and kitchen equipment. The funds will also enable us to initiate an annual scholarship to reward students who have given exemplary service to the school.”

“The Celebration's non-financial goal,” Ms. Gold continues, “was to raise awareness of the Carver Center within the Baltimore community. We accomplished that big-time by obtaining three media sponsors – Comcast Cable, WTMD, and the Towson Times. Comcast filmed and broadcast 21 CNN Headline News Local Edition spots about the Celebration. WTMD ran numerous Celebration ads, and the Towson Times and its sister publications ran 13 print ads for the Celebration. Thanks to this coverage, people are finally talking about Carver Center and are aware of its unique offerings and contributions to the community.”

Carver Celebration 2005 was hosted by Towson University President Robert L. Caret, artists Charlene Rene Clark and Dan Keplinger, FOX45 news anchors Harold Fisher and Patrice Harris, and restaurateurs Roland Jeannier and Lenny and Gail Kaplan.

The Carver Center for Arts and Technology provides interrelated arts, technology, and academic programs for students in grades 9-12. Founded in 1993, Carver Center is a countywide magnet school offering college-preparatory curricula and rigorous courses of study in visual arts, acting, technical theatre, vocal music, dance, literary arts, business, carpentry, cosmetology, and culinary arts. Carver offers students a unique opportunity for in-depth study in their field of interest. The academic program provides a range of advanced placement, gifted and talented, honors, and standard courses, as well as full inclusion programs for students with special needs. The integration of technology, the arts, and academics, accomplished by connecting theory and hands-on application, is an approach that ensures students have a competitive edge for college and career opportunities. The admissions process includes an audition and interview in all of the areas. Eligibility is based on a student's demonstrated interest and potential for success in the chosen field.

In January 2005, the Carver Center for Arts and Technology was named by the College Board as having the best studio arts program in the world among similar-sized high schools. In December 2004, nearly half of 25 national finalists for excellence in visual arts, selected by the National Foundation for the Advancement of Arts, were from Baltimore County schools – including seven students from Carver, and one each from Patapsco and Towson high schools. According to officials with the Foundation’s annual Arts Recognition and Talent Search (ARTS), which administers the competition, Baltimore County’s showing established the school system as a national powerhouse for high school talent in the visual arts.

In particular, Carver’s showing is “an unprecedented feat,” said Christopher Schram, vice-president of programs for the Miami-based NFAA. “No school’s students have ever achieved at this level in visual arts in the ARTS competition.”

More on Carver Center For Arts And Technology

Story by Diana Spencer, Communications Officer Photos courtesy the Carver Center for Arts and Technology