For Immediate Release:
Contact: Karen J. Arthur, karthur@bankstreet.edu, 212-931-3331

Art Reception Supports Bank Street College Students

Pemberton Society Holds Scholarship Fundraiser

New York, NY -- The Bank Street College Priscilla E. Pemberton Society will hold a cocktail reception at the June Kelly Gallery in downtown SoHo on Wednesday, October 18. This is the society‚s second annual fundraiser to generate scholarships and support for students of color at Bank Street College of Education.

The evening begins at 6:00 pm with a private art viewing with gallery owner and curator June Kelly, who managed the career of well-known artist Romare Bearden for 13 years. The gallery, located at 591 Broadway (between Houston and Prince Streets), showcases contemporary paintings, sculpture and photography of emerging and established artists.

Among the fabulous donations being raffled during the evening are a hand-made, one-of-a kind doll by Lizjul Doll Designings; rare Tuscan wine from the vineyards of Richard Parsons, CEO of Time Warner; a variety of South African wines from Black-owned vineyards within the South African Wine Industry Trust transformation and empowerment project; a signed poster by contemporary artist Jonathan Green; restaurant certificates; luxurious spa treatments; and hand-crafted jewelry.

Priscilla Pemberton, who received her master‚s degree from Bank Street in 1966, was a dedicated participant and supporter of the college. She was among the first recipients of the Award for Distinguished Service given by the Bank Street College Alumni Association.  Her devotion to students of all ages, at Bank Street College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, and in her role as President of the Board of the Lexington Child Care Center, continued into her later years.

The Priscilla E. Pemberton Society was inaugurated in late 2005 to support Bank Street students and alumni of color through financial assistance and other services. The Society's has already raised over $50,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for African American students in the Bank Street Graduate School. Bank Street is committed to increasing the pool of racially diverse teachers, especially in urban areas. For more information, see www.bankstreet.edu/pemberton/.