Artwork will be for sale during production of 'Art'

Limestone College students Donnie Patterson, Tommy Bednar and Brendan Franks debate the merits of a painting while rehearsing for the play "Art" on Sept. 25-28. Life will imitate art when Limestone College theater students perform the Tony- Award winning comedy "Art" on Sept. 25-28.

Community members are asked to donate some of their own artwork for sale in a fundraiser the theater department will hold at their shows. Profits will be used to help pay for a field trip to New York City next May.

A person does not have to be a professional artist to donate, Limestone College theater professor Dr. Carrie Ameling said. Theater students are accepting any type of artwork, including paintings, sculpture, drawings and photography.

"We felt this would be a great opportunity for our students to have an educational experience in New York City," Ameling said. "We are in the process of making arrangements so the students can go behind the scenes of the production of 'Legally Blonde' and attend a show on Broadway."

The fundraiser is in keeping with the production of "Art." The play centers on the relationship of three friends, played by Gaffney resident Donnie Patterson (Marc), Tommy Bednar (Serge) and Brendan Franks (Yvan.)

In the play, Serge pays 200,000 francs to purchase a painting that shows only white lines on a white canvas. Throughout the play, the three men debate the merits of the painting and whether it should be considered art.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 25-27. A matinee will be Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m.

The shows will be performed at the old Brown Furniture building on W. Robinson St. in downtown Gaffney. The building has been renovated into a performing arts space.

For the play, Limestone College students have converted the stage into an art gallery.

"This is a fun play. It will remind some people of Seinfield in that it's much ado about nothing," Ameling said. "The play is about the friendship of three guys. It deals with the question of who decides whether something is good or bad art."

Ticket prices for the play are $6 for adults and $3 for seniors/students. Admission is free to Limestone College students and faculty members.

Artwork donated by community members will be sold at the shows. If you have a donation, please contact Dr. Carrie Ameling at 488-8234.