Contact:
Thelma De La Peรฑa
Executive Director, Bodanna
Studio and Gallery
212.388.0078, thelma@bodanna.org
Contact:
Venessa Hammerbacher
Timeless Events, LLC
212.590.2308,
v.hammerbacher@timelessevents.com
New York, NYโ€" December 5th, 2002 โ€" Bodanna, Inc., a not-for-profit, entrepreneurial ceramics studio, in conjunction with event sponsors, present a holiday benefit featuring a cocktail reception and silent auction to promote and support the organization's operations.
Bodanna Studio and Gallery is a cultural venture that uses commercial pottery as a medium for developing job disciplines and artistic potential in gifted young adults from low-income communities. Why ceramics? Ceramics is a hands-on, three-dimensional craft that demands imagination, thoughtfulness, technical expertise, planning and discipline, the same skills required for success in the workplace.
The event will be held on December 19, 2002 from 9:00PM to 1:00AM at The Embassy in New York City, and will feature a cocktail reception, DJ music and dancing, and a silent auction featuring the work of the Bodanna Studio apprentices.
When asked about the apprentice program, Scott Sinclair, founder of Bodanna and Chairman of the Board, said this: โ€œBodanna's social mission is to develop marketable skills in economically disadvantaged young adults through apprenticeships in the ceramic arts. The apprenticeship program enrolls a group of six to eight young adults drawn from the five boroughs of New York City. An apprenticeship at Bodanna amounts to paid on-the-job training in pottery and entrepreneurship. The combination of business and artistic training are unique to Bodanna among job training programs in NYC. For the many capable young New Yorkers with creative ability who are culturally and economically excluded from good job opportunities, Bodanna offers life-changing potential.โ€
Apprentices make a one-year commitment to Bodanna, and may be offered a second year senior apprenticeship. A second program offered is a free weekly ceramics class open to teenagers. Through the open classes Bodanna can serve a larger number of students, up to 180 per year, providing them with the opportunity for creative and personal growth.
As a social venture, Bodanna depends on sale of its products and services to serve its social mission cost-effectively. Bodanna's retail gallery exhibits and sells the work of our apprentices and faculty, and enrolls paying adults in our popular evening pottery classes. As active participants in the commercial operation of Bodanna, apprentices gain hands-on retail sales and marketing experience.
Two tiers of tickets can be purchased. โ€œEvent Friendโ€ tickets can be purchased for $100.00 each, while โ€œsponsorโ€ tickets can be purchased for $200.00. Bodanna staff will be on-hand during the event to answer any questions and accept any additional donations.
โ€œWe are very excited about the event. The Embassy is a beautiful location and compliment to the student's artwork โ€" we are expecting the evening to be filled with fun and excitementโ€, said Venessa Hammerbacher, Owner of Timeless Events, LLC, an event planner and coordinator for the event for Bodanna Studio and Gallery.
The web site http://www.bodanna.org/Pages/invite.html has been developed to provide additional information about the event, allow for a tax deductible contribution, and to facilitate the online purchase of tickets. An R.S.V.P is requested, although tickets can be purchased at the door. Any questions about the event can be directed to Venessa Hammerbacher by phone at 212.590.2308, or via email at v.hammerbacher@timelessevents.com.
Bodanna Studio and Gallery is a 501(c)(3) entrepreneurial ceramics studio whose mission is to foster personal and professional growth in gifted young adults from low-income communities in New York City. For more information, visit www.bodanna.org, or call 212.388.0078.