Joining Forces to Promote Great Art for a Great Cause

by Sally Khudairi

It’s been four years since my sister Sue and I opened Dorset Cafe. Part of our initial vision was to   support our community through the arts by regularly mounting shows at the café that highlight local artistic talent and help raise funds. We realized this vision by creating “Future Masters”, the first-ever collective exhibition and sale of Wellesley High School student work in a commercial setting. 100% of the proceeds from each sale directly benefits the Painting and Drawing Intensive art students under the tutelage of Dr. Bob Callahan. We are proud to reinforce our commitment by supporting an upcoming student fundraiser to be held next week.

Wellesley High School Senior Michael Arroyo has exhibited and sold his works at Dorset for the past three years since our inaugural Future Masters show. For his upcoming Senior Project, he is organizing “Great Art for a Great Cause”, an art exhibition and silent auction to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti, with 100% of the proceeds to be paid directly to the American Red Cross. The exhibit and auction will feature several of his own art pieces created during the course of the Senior Project timeframe, as well as photographs, digital art, drawings, paintings, and jewelry created by his peers from Wellesley High School.

“My driving motivation and inspiration is from the strong willed people from Haiti that have had to endure such tragedy and disaster — I believe we must celebrate the lives of those lost and their hope through the life of art,” explains Arroyo.

We are pleased to offer the community the opportunity to help those who need it the most. The goal is to raise as much money for the Hatian relief efforts as possible, and the Red Cross will be present to accept financial donations in addition to proceeds from the sale of student art. A preview of select art works for Great Art for a Great Cause will be on exhibit at Dorset Cafe 6-11 May, with all works available for sale at silent auction at the Wellesley Free Library Wakelin Room on 12 May from 3.30-5.00PM. For more information, contact Michael Arroyo on 617 816 6749 or via email at arroyo19@juno.com.