Barbara Ingram School's second fundraiser takes flight

New project will feature hot-air balloon statues designed by local artists

September 02, 2010|By ANDREW SCHOTZ

Eleven sponsors have signed up for a new round of public art to benefit the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts.

Take Flight II, the new project, will feature hot-air balloon statues designed by local artists and placed in public places.

Last year, using a butterfly theme, a public-art project and a gala generated about $100,000 for a foundation that supports the school, said Cynthia Perini, the foundation's president. This year, the fundraising goal is $125,000.

On Thursday, supporters of the school and dozens of students gathered at the plaza next to the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown on West Washington Street to celebrate Take Flight II.

The project will start in January with a sponsorship reception.

In April, sculptures will be unveiled in the downtown Arts & Entertainment District and at City Park.

Hydro Glass Inc. is making the sculptures that artists will design, according to a press release issued by the foundation.

Artists are invited to submit ideas for how they would design hot-air balloons. Application forms are available at http://www.takeflighthagerstown.com. The deadline is Sept. 30.

Statues of sponsors at the $3,500 level will be sold at auction. Sponsors at the $5,000 level will get to keep the sculpture.

As of Thursday, there were seven $5,000 sponsors -- The Hagerstown/Washington County Industrial Foundation, City of Hagerstown, Washington County, Antietam Cable, Younger Auto Group, Bowman Hospitality and M&T Bank.

There were four $3,500 sponsors -- Mrs. Theron Rinehart, Mr. and Mrs. Benito Vattelana, Hamilton Family Foundation and Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

The goal is to get 45 sponsors.

The sculptures will be on display April 15 through June 15.

A Take Flight II event and hot-air balloon festival will be held June 17 and 18 at Rider Jet Center and Hagerstown Regional Airport.

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