The Evergreen State College Foundation Hosts Art of Living Gala February 20 in Tacoma

Olympia, (Wash) Elegant art, enticing experiences and engaging philanthropy will all be on offer at The Evergreen State College’s Art of Living fundraiser on Saturday, February 20. Evergreen alumni, faculty and friends will gather at the Hotel Murano to support scholarships for Evergreen students. The seventh annual Art of Living fundraising dinner and auction will feature nationally renowned artists, travel adventures and local auctioneer Laura Michalek.

Regional and national artists including Tom Anderson ‘73, Cappy Thompson ‘76, and Mimi Williams have donated fine art to the event’s live and silent auctions. One-of-a-kind experiences, mixed media pieces, sculpture, photography, and jewelry will also be up for bid at the event in the heart of Tacoma’s Art District. Special experiences up for auction include a Coffee Origins Adventure tour in Central America, led and donated by Olympia coffee company Batdorf & Bronson and a private whiskey tasting tour and party donated by Seattle’s largest whiskey producer, Westland Distillery.

All proceeds from the Art of Living fund scholarships for Evergreen students. The Evergreen State College Foundation provides over $150,000 in scholarships each year, which make higher education possible for many students without means. In the words of student scholarship recipient Eddie Parnel ‘16, “Donations to a scholarship program come with a ripple effect that’s far-reaching. When you change a life by giving someone the opportunity to go to school you change the lives of everyone that person touches after that. And that’s a big deal.”

The Art of Living is Evergreen’s annual opportunity to gather alumni, parents and friends of the college for an elegant and lively evening to support students. Individual tickets are $120 and tables of ten are available for $1,000. To donate, register, and explore auction items, please visit www.evergreen.edu/give/art-of-living.

Photo: Auctioneer Laura Michalek leads an exciting bidding competition at the 2015 Art of Living event. Photo by Shauna Bittle for The Evergreen State College