Sovereign Bank sponsors art exhibits at The Bushnell's Promenade Gallery
Contact: Tod Kallenbach (860) 987-6018; email: tod_kallenbach@bushnell.org
HARTFORD, Conn., September 26, 2002 - The Bushnell is pleased to announce a new partnership with Sovereign Bank providing financial support to showcase the visual artwork of Connecticut artists and high school students to visitors of the performing arts center.
About the Promenade Gallery at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts In 1973, the Promenade Gallery was established at The Bushnell when it was deemed desirable to eliminate 500 seats that formerly occupied the rear of the William H. Mortensen Hall, due to poor acoustics and views of the stage. The mission of the Promenade Gallery is to feature fine art and educational exhibits that will enrich and inform the experience of patrons at The Bushnell. The Gallery is located in a highly visible public space through which thousands of people pass each month on their way into the historic Mortensen Hall and the new Belding Theater. Under the auspices of the Education Department at The Bushnell, the gallery often displays the work of students, as well as teaching artists in The Bushnell's PARTNERS program (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools).
"The Promenade Gallery not only offers Bushnell patrons the opportunity to view fine art during great performances, it provides prime exposure and career development for world-class artists and talented students from Connecticut", stated John Hamill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Bank New England. "It's a great way to express Sovereign Bank's support of the arts in our community, as The Bushnell is a treasured gathering place and offers a wealth of artistic experiences under one roof."
Annually, the Promenade Gallery showcases five to seven exhibits featuring Connecticut artists and thematic shows featuring student artwork from local high schools. Following a statewide call to artists each January that is widely issued through Connecticut arts organizations and the media, the selection process is conducted each spring for the next performance year (September through June). Approximately 80 to 100 artists apply each year. The review panel is comprised of Bushnell staff members, the Gallery curator, and community artists.
During each exhibit, artists' talks are provided for student groups. Most exhibits have a free opening reception that is open to the public, as well as the artists' friends and families. Most artwork is available for sale. Additionally, local library and community space exhibits of PARTNERS artwork are arranged by The Bushnell's Education Department.
The Promenade Gallery at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts sponsored by Sovereign Bank Upcoming 2002-2003 Exhibits
Patricia Genova and Elizabeth MacDermid October 29 - December 29, 2002 Reception: November 7, 2002, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
High School Student Exhibit December 31, 2002 - February 2, 2003 Reception: January 9, 2003, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Barbara Hocker and Hyun Joo Jung February 4 - March 30, 2003 Reception: February 6, 2003, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
High School Student Exhibit April 1 - May 11, 2003 Reception: April 3, 2003, 5:00-6:30 p.m.
PARTNERS student exhibit May 13 - June 22, 2003 Reception: to be scheduled
About Sovereign Bank Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., ("Sovereign") (NYSE: SOV), headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the parent company of Sovereign Bank, a $38 billion financial institution with approximately 530 community banking offices, more than 1,000 ATMs and about 7,500 team members in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Sovereign Bank is one of the top 25 largest banking institutions in the United States. For more information on Sovereign Bank, visit www.sovereignbank.com or call 1-877-SOV-BANK.
About The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts The Bushnell is Connecticut's premier performing arts center, hosting more than 450 events yearly, including major Broadway tours, symphony orchestras, family presentations, local arts and community events. In November 2001, The Bushnell completed a $45 million expansion project that added a second, 907-seat theater to the existing historic structure. The new, state-of-the-art performance hall allows for expanded arts, entertainment and community offerings. The Bushnell's nationally-recognized arts-in-education program, PARTNERS (Partners in Arts and Education Revitalizing Schools), is a cross-community educational effort serving 40 schools in 17 districts throughout the Greater Hartford area. The Bushnell opened in January 1930 and is a non-profit organization. For more information, call The Bushnell at (860) 987-6000, The Bushnell Box Office at (860) 987-5900 or visit our website at www.bushnell.org.