Dean Scartelli, Art Society members, faculty and staff, honored guests, students and friends it is truly an honor for me to welcome all of you tonight.

When Dr. Arbury asked me to stand before you and speak this evening I was truly honored. Although I was very interested in putting into words the appreciation of the generosity of the Art Society on behalf of many recipients, to be completely honest it was overwhelming. How was I going to express though words what I normally express though paint? How was I going to project the magnitude of appreciation of your hard work and investments that have created such an impact on all of our lives?
To give a little background on myself, I am a single mother of two little boys. I recently have been showing them the magic of mixing colors. If you mix them together in a certain way you can create a wonderful array of new and unique colors. To them I am a miracle worker of color.

It was only after careful thought that I realized that I am capable only of doing what I already know. So for just for a moment I would like to paint you a picture with words to express the soul of a student of the Visual and Performing Arts department. Red would symbolize the heart and deep love for what we do, like that of a musician wearing his chops out trying to create that right melody. Yellow would symbolize the joy and inspiration that results from what we do, like when a dancer or actor receives a standing ovation. Blue to represent the depth of passion and determination that each of us has for our field similar to the artist or designer that stays up all night trying to create that one significant color that will finish his piece.
In painting I combine colors and many other complimentary elements to create visual harmony, and hopefully when I am done (with much prayer) the painting will be viewed as a masterpiece. And just like a masterpiece when we all conform together and share our colors to help one another on every level, it is truly beautiful.

So I want to say to the students, thank you for you diligence, passion, heart and hard work to produce work worth supporting. Thank you professors; you sometimes give us tough colors to work with but your contributions strengthen our minds and push us to explore endless possibilities. And finally thank you Art Society. Your generosity has without a doubt transformed us all into wonderful unique colors. Your financial support gives us the possibility to live our dreams; to reach what many may think is unreachable. You have given the gift of education.

To me you are my miracle workers of color! On behalf of my fellow students thank you for allowing us to be our own masterpiece within the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University.

And just like a masterpiece your spirit of giving is priceless!

Thank you