“Education on Parade” Fundraiser Adds Beauty to Local Businesses, Betters Students’ Education
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- Written by Becky McKeown
GENESEO — You may have seen pieces of painted, child-sized furniture displayed in local businesses. These works of art aren’t just pretty to look at—they serve another purpose, as well.
The artworks are part of “Education on Parade,” a fundraiser for the Geneseo PTSA thought up by substitute teacher and PTSA treasurer Jodi Beyer.
For the unique fundraiser, Beyer salvaged decommissioned furniture from Geneseo Central School. She then asked businesses to team up with an artist or artists to design and create a work of art out of the furniture. Businesses had the choice of finding their own artist or have one assigned to them. Seventeen local businesses joined Beyer’s project, as well as three art teachers and 10 students of varied grade levels.
These pieces may be seen in businesses like the Village Tavern, where Rick Vattimo sponsored a varsity baseball-themed piece from artist and parent Charleen Nesbitt and student artist Ian Peterson. Art teacher Beth Adams and students Lindsay Ryan and Anna Miskell partnered with Chris Rubeck of Geneseo Chiropractic to create a colorful desk and chair set. Swain Sports II’s Mark Pritchard teamed up with student Kyle Laidlaw to create a bicycle piece.
Other businesses displaying pieces are Frugal Fashionista, Not Dot Shop, Miceli's, Bank Street Grill, Geneseo Family Eye, Touch of Grayce, Nothnagle, Genesee Valley Florist, Details Event Planning at Hampton Inn, Special Tees, Forever Art II, Envy, Shear FX, and the Geneseo Library. Artists include Kara Meierdiercks, the Fletcher family, Kate Hockbruckner, Michael Wedge, Rob Antonucci and his daughter, Mariah Haddad, Saarah Shakeel, Hannah VanWuyckhuyse, Jodi Beyer, and Jason Loughlin and his students.
Businesses are asked to display the art from January 31st through March 2nd. The general public may now vote on the most creative, best theme and the best over-all work of art. During the annual Parent Teacher Student Association Spring Fling on March 3rd, the top three artists/businesses will be awarded and the furniture will be auctioned live, with all proceeds benefitting the GCS-PTSA.
