By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
Get our newsletter
ROCKFORD — The Rockford Area Arts Council is hosting a charity event at the University Club later this month, auctioning off local artists’ work to raise funds for Ukraine.
The event, called Art for Peace, will raise money for the Brovary Relief Fund in aid of Rockford’s Sister City.
“Art provides an opportunity for self-reflection and awareness, it is a unique vehicle for empathy and compassion,” said Mary McNamara Bernsten, executive director of Rockford Area Arts Council. “Through empathy, art enables viewers and listeners and makers to take a new perspective and to understand others better.”
Art for Peace will take place at the University Club of Rockford from 4-7 p.m. on June 25.
The Arts Council is partnering with the Rockford Art Museum and Brovary Relief Fund partners — Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, the city of Rockford, and the Rockford Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau — for the event.
More: Australian family’s traveling cafe aims to create conversation and ‘sense of community’ in Rockford
The crisis in Ukraine has drawn attention and support worldwide, especially in Rockford due to the sister city relationship.
“Residents of our region have shown an extraordinary willingness to help the Ukrainian people as they bravely face challenges we cannot possibly imagine,” McNamara said. “The heartfelt concern we’ve witnessed from local artists is truly moving.”
Former Rockford artist John Berry’s “Popular Success,” a piece inspired by the Vietnam conflict and anti-war themes, will be featured at the auction along with a new piece he’s donating for the event.
More arts: Have you seen this ‘secret squirrel’ in Rockford? Here’s the story behind the hush, hush campaign
Numerous other artists will be featured as well, including Barbara McNamara, Pablo Korona, Jennifer Furst and others.
The event will feature music, food, a cash bar, a silent auction, a live auction event and city of Rockford Poet Laureate, Christine Swanberg, will recite an original poem.
Know before you go
Where: 945 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 4-7 p.m. on June 29
Admission: $25
Additional information: artsforeveryone.com
This article is by Mary Sisk. You can email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent.