The Kimball Art Center will celebrate its educational programming with a back-to-school night for ages 21 and older.The annual Art Night Fundraiser that supports art education in Park City will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the center, 1251 Kearns Blvd., said Lacey Cole-Rae, the nonprofit’s development director.“It will be an engaging event where people can learn about the vital role Kimball Art Center plays in providing art education in Park City, and showcasing our education programming, led by Heather Stamenov,” she said. “Art Night is supported in part by the Park City Vail Epic Promise grant, and we’re trying to make it a low-barrier for entry, so it’s free to attend. We do want people to RSVP the best they can ahead of time so we can get an idea for food and drinks. But we won’t turn anyone away.”The evening’s theme is back-to-school, and that means it’s all encompassing, according to Cole-Rae.“We encourage people to dress in their best back-to-school outfits or wear something they always wore at school,” she said. “Then when you arrive, you will be given some homework.”The assignment is simple, Cole-Rae said.“You will be given a lanyard, and you will have to visit four education stations that will be set up around the center,” she said. “Once you visit and learn about the stations, you will get a star. When you fill up your lanyard with stars, you will be entered into an opportunity drawing.”The education stations coincide with the Kimball Art Center’s community education programs — Young Artists Academy (YAA), Elementary Visual Arts (EVA), Golden Art Club and the Kimball Art Center’s ceramic studio, according to Cole-Rae.“Attendees can see YAA artwork and meet some of the students,” she said.YAA is a program designed to mentor and train students who are serious about a career in art, Cole-Rae said.The Kimball Art Center’s ceramics studio is one of the nonprofit’s programs that will benefit from the Art Night Fundraiser on Oct. 10. Credit: Park Record file photo by Jake Shane“We’ll also have representatives, teachers and art from the EVA program that we do in partnership with the Park City Education Foundation,” she said. “EVA is something that is close to our hearts, and it came about to get regular and high-quality art into elementary schools because (the) state of Utah doesn’t fund elementary art. The EVA program reaches about 1,200 students per year, and the Kimball Art Center hosts classes in three elementary schools twice a month.”The Golden Art Club is a program for senior citizens in Park City and Summit County, Cole-Rae said.“These classes typically take place at the Park City Senior Center, but we also hold some at the Kimball Art Center as well,” she said.The ceramic studio is one of the Kimball Art Center’s best-kept secrets, Cole-Rae said.“We have a vibrant community of ceramicists, and some of them will be on hand to talk about the studio and show some of their works,” she said. “(In fact), our overall programming reaches about 10,000 people, and that includes EVA kids, on- and off-site art education classes and tours. So, there are lots of humans impacted by art education in Park City, Summit County and beyond.”The Kimball Art Center education program reaches 10,000 individuals in and outside of the Park City area. The “Back to School” Art Night on Oct. 13 will give attendees a glimpse of what these programs are and raises funds to help them continue. Credit: Courtesy of the Kimball Art CenterIf some of the Art Night attendees don’t want to do homework, they can “Play Hooky” or get a “Hall Pass,” Cole-Rae said.“If they choose those, they can just donate $500 and get entered into the drawing,” she said.The evening will also feature a “stuff the backpack” project, according to Cole-Rae.“We’ll have a rolling chalkboard that will have a list of school supplies, and people can choose which one or ones they want to purchase to fill the backpack,” she said. “So, someone may choose to pay $50 for pastels for a class or $500 to underwrite a scholarship for a YAA student. They can pick a level they would like to invest in and put that in the backpack and check out on site.”An on-site silent auction will be another avenue for fundraising, according to Cole-Rae.“We have 20 items that are put into back-to-school categories,” she said. “One is called  Recess, which is a weeklong stay at a nice home in Las Vegas, and then we have spa and dining certificates from The Pendry and High West Distillery, and we’ve got art by local artists.”The Kimball Art Center’s Golden Art Club is a program for senior citizens who get together at the Park City Senior Center and KAC to create art for exhibits. Credit: Park Record file photo by Scott IwasakiCole-Rae hopes to raise at least $15,000 because the Kimball Art Center Board’s education committee will match that amount.“We have a dedicated committee, and they have come forward with this grant,” she said. “So I would love to raise at least $15,000 so we can get that match.”Art Night will be presented in an open-house format, where attendees can drop in anytime between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and enjoy drinks by High West Distillery and food provided by Done to Your Taste Catering & Events, Cole-Rae said.“Attendees will also have the chance to tour our new exhibit, ‘Less Bad’ by Karl Haendel,” she said. “He’s an interesting artist in his approachability in the way his work is created and displayed. It’s pen, pencil and paper, to show people they can create art with inexpensive materials.”Art Night FundraiserWhen: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10 Where: Kimball Art Center, 1251 Kearns Blvd. Cost: Free, but RSVPs are suggested Registration: kimballartcenter.org/exhibition/art-night-2024 Web: kimballartcenter.orgThe post Kimball Art Center goes back to school appeared first on Park Record.