The auction totals and donations are still being tallied, but we can call the fundraiser to Save the Mosaic! a success. An estimated 200 hundred people were present at the Happy Hour fundraiser at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia last Thursday evening, and by all accounts a good time was had. There was active bidding on the donated items, a lot of laughter and camaraderie, good music by the students of CAPA (Philadelphia high school for Creative and Performing Arts - the future home of the mosaic), and the tremendous hospitality of Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Thank you to all who participated!
From left to right: Nancy Frank, Board Member, MSoP, organizer of the event and leading the campaign to Save the Mosaic!; Carol Shelkin, President of the Board, MSoP; Jane Golden, Executive Director, Philadelphia Mural Arts Program; Richard J. Watson, Curator of Exhibitions at the African American Museum and designer of the mosaic at the Loews Hotel Soul Food Restaurant.
Relocating this large mosaic from its current location to its new home is a costly proposition, and even with the very generous donations by of time, resources and funds by all involved, your help is still needed! We hope you will attend our next fundraiser for this cause, a brunch and lecture with Stephen Miotto, the fabricator of the mosaic, next Sunday, October 27, at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Reservations are required.
Mosaic artists, enthusiast and supporters mingled, with the mosaic as backdrop. The 40' x 7' mosaic has been a part of the Loews since it opened in 2000.
From left: Sharon Ritz, April Press, and Claire Brill, with the original drawing for the mosaic in the background.
If you can't make the event and would like to help with a dollar or two, or five - or ten!, please send your donation via PayPal to mosaicsocietyofphila@gmail.com and note "Save the Mosaic" on the notes field, OR checks can be made to and sent to: Mosaic Society of Philadelphia (MSoP), PO Box 211, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. Every dollar counts and we appreciate it!
All photos in this post are courtesy of Alissa Blumenthal. Thanks Alissa, for all your help!