The line to enter the Starry Night Art Gala extended out the door despite the temperamental, snowy spring weather.
Over 400 guests, consisting of both FRCC students and community members, walked the red carpet to enter the event held on the Larimer County campus on April 18th.
Student murals lined the walls behind them. Guests stood among Vangogh’s sunflowers and his starry night as they waited in line to enter the gallery.
Attendees were able to view over 250 pieces of artwork, submitted by just under 60 different artists, that ranged from painting and ceramics to beaded phone charms and crochet flowers.
Guests were invited to bid on their favorite pieces via a silent auction.
“We wanted to give students the opportunity and the outlet to self-express,” said Jacky Sticca, President of the Student Government Association.
“I also wanted there to be a free opportunity for students to celebrate, especially right before finals, I think it’s really important to alleviate stress,” she said.
Food and drinks were provided including a (fake) champagne tower, a bar serving mocktails, sandwiches, charcuterie boards with fruits and cheeses, shrimp cocktails, and cheesecake.
The Student Government Association, the group of people responsible for organizing and setting up the gala, began preparing for this one-night event all the way back in February.
“We literally cold-called every single classroom on campus, we went around with flyers, we did student outreach, we wanted to make sure that everyone knew they could participate,” said Sticca.
Student outreach and participation extended well beyond the borders of FRCC.
This community-facing event was the first of its kind for the Larimer County campus and drew not only current students but many prospective FRCC students and their families as well.
“We reached out to a lot of local high schools and just knowing that we’ve done something to try and encourage enrollment here, I think that that makes it a success,” said Sticca.
“I’m so grateful that everyone made it the event that it was,” she said.
