FAB show will display student art, raise funds
The community is invited to marvel at the amazing artistic talent of dozens of Butler School District students and support education at the same time.
The 16th annual FAB (Fine Arts and Beyond) Showcase will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill Road.
In addition to fabulous works of art, many of which will be for sale, the showcase will include student musicians as well.
The FAB Showcase is the largest fundraiser for the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, which provides $2,000 scholarships each year to 18 graduating Butler High School seniors.
The foundation also has provided $30,000 per year in creative teaching grants to instructors who want to pursue a project that is not budgeted.
Audray Muscatello Yost, foundation president, said because teachers only asked for $20,000 in grants last year, spot grants to be awarded throughout the year also will be available next year.
The student artists are finishing up their paintings, drawings, mixed media pieces, photographs, graphic arts, ceramics and sculptures for display and sometimes sale at the popular event.
Rose Burger, a senior who will display a painting, a pencil drawing and two mixed media drawings, has been participating in the FAB Showcase since elementary school.
Rose comes from a family of artists, which she found intimidating until 10th grade, when she figured out art is her bailiwick.
“Shoutout to my aunt, Gretchen Lavery, who was my mentor,” Rose said. “It wasn't something that just came naturally to me. I had to put a lot into it.”
Rose has a penchant for drawing hands, which she finds fascinating. Two of her pieces Saturday will be her interpretation of hands.
While she has sold five pieces of art at the FAB Showcase over the years, the first was in her freshman year when she sold a drawing of a cupcake that she cocreated with her classmate Caity Bilanich.
Caity, who enjoys creating collages of people, will have seven pieces at the FAB Showcase. She also grew up in an artistic family.
She appreciates participating in the showcase not only because it gives art students a venue in which they can shine, but also to help the foundation raise money.“It's something I love to do and knowing it's something that gives back and helps the school district I go to is really nice,” Caity said.In addition to creating art at school, Caity does commission work for people who want a drawing. She said pets are most often the subjects she is asked to paint or draw for a client.Lisa Fields, a senior, was preparing her bust of Salvador Dalí and his ocelot, Babbo, on Monday for firing and painting. Lisa said the sculpture will not be for sale, as she plans to add it to her portfolio for an application to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She plans to study art education there in the fall.She completed the amazing likeness of Dalí from a famous photo of the Spanish surrealist artist and Babbo.“I couldn't decide whether to do a person or an animal, so I did both,” Lisa said.She is happy to use her artistic ability to raise money for the foundation.“If I can just contribute by doing something I enjoy, that is a great opportunity,” Lisa said.Erich Campbell, chairman of the district's art department and a Butler High art teacher of 24 years, said the FAB Showcase is a lot of work and it's all worth it.“Every year, I'm blown away,” Campbell said of the caliber of artwork created by his students. “The kids are proud of it, and that is what education, to me, is all about.”He always ensures that his students are aware that their participation in the event is putting food in the backpacks of hungry elementary students and providing educational opportunities for students throughout the district and scholarships for their classmates.“I tell the kids 'this isn't just about you,'” Campbell said. “'You're giving back to your community.'”Yost said in the past five years, 396 scholarships worth $506,000 have been awarded to graduating Butler High seniors, and $95,000 in creative teaching grants have impacted 11,000 students.The FAB Showcase brings in about $40,000 each year.“And it showcases all of the talent and ability of our students in the Butler School District,” Yost said.
WHAT: FAB (Fine Arts & Beyond) ShowcaseWHEN: 4:30 to 8 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Butler Intermediate High School, 551 Fairground Hill RoadADMISSION: Free
