By Jim Bunn, Chief Marketing Officer, Concordia College

Aug. 31, 2016:  Concordia College announces the awarding of a grant from The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation to support the youth arts education programs at its OSilas Gallery. The money will be used to underwrite costs for the StArt and pARTners outreach programs, designed to explore, expand, and enrich young people’s exposure to and love of art.  

“We are excited for this opportunity to partner with Concordia College and the OSilas Gallery in support of programs being offered to young artists in our community,” said Hannie Sio-Stellakis, Public Relations Manager at Neiman Marcus-White Plains. “Working in collaboration with the OSilas Gallery, we hope to impact the lives of youth through enriching arts experiences in our local communities, and at the same time, inspire and engage our store associates and valued customers in this initiative to help drive further impact.”

Launched in 2007, StArt is an annual exhibition featuring work created by talented artists from regional public and private high schools. The goal of the StArt exhibition is to provide a venue in which to encourage young artists by offering an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional gallery.

The StArt exhibition also helps aspiring artists build their portfolios and credentials for college, while providing an opportunity for art teachers to enhance their classroom curriculum.  The exhibition has grown to feature more than 90 student artists, representing 30 high schools across Westchester, Fairfield, Rockland, and Orange counties as well as the Bronx.  

The pARTners exhibition is an art installation created by special needs students from area high schools. Students in Concordia College’s undergraduate and graduate Education programs work side-by-side with these high schoolers for several weeks in the creation of their artwork.

Since art can be a powerful vehicle for self-expression, the pARTners exhibition supports the development of creativity and communication.  There is a specific theme each year, and students with special needs and their art teachers create individual works of art that culminate in this finished installation piece, emphasizing the importance of creating art together.  

 “It is an honor for us to be associated with Neiman Marcus,” said Joyce Kennedy, Director of Community Relations at Concordia College-New York. “It is a reflection of the outstanding success and reputation of our OSilas Gallery, and its mission to engage youth in the arts, by providing innovative programs to foster creativity at all age and ability levels.” 

Started in 2013, the Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation is a national philanthropic commitment to focus both national and local charitable giving to support the arts in communities where Neiman Marcus stores are located. The mission of The Heart of Neiman Marcus is to help bring enriching arts experiences to youth...because ART changes lives.

For over ten years, the OSilas Gallery at Concordia College has offered various exhibitions, lectures, and programs for all ages. With the mission to integrate the visual arts into the cultural and educational life on campus and in the community, the OSilas Gallery continuously provides high-quality exhibitions diverse in style, content, and media.  Consisting of memorable, thought-provoking, and spiritually enriching pieces, the gallery acts as an integral part of the community demonstrating artistic originality, integrity, and excellence.

Pictured here:  Art students working in the O'silas Gallery.

Photo courtesy Jim Bunn