As the snowflakes finally left their day-long recital, art-goers indulged in a wide selection of local artwork at Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education’s (SHAPE) annual Winter Gala Friday evening.

The event is an annual membership drive where SHAPE informs community members about what is going on at SHAPE and their vision for the year ahead.

SHAPE’s president Josh Rosetta spoke during the event about the direction SHAPE is going in. One of the gallery’s biggest achievements in 2016 was their move to a larger location. In order to attract more people from outside of Shippensburg, SHAPE is working with the Cumberland County to market through billboards.

This year, SHAPE hopes to double their number of classes offered. In 2016, SHAPE had 13 classes, marking the most it has offered in the past five years.

The gallery is building a relationship with the Boys & Girls Club of Chambersburg and Shippensburg, and plans to provide free art classes for underprivileged students.

“Then there will be art for all,” Ashley Burrows, SHAPE membership coordinator, said.

SHAPE is currently looking for college and high school students to lessen their load in leading art classes. Those interested in teaching a class can fill out an application at www.shapeart.org/teacher.html.

Rosetta kept emphasizing, “We all volunteer. If it wasn’t for our board and our volunteers, we wouldn’t exist.”

Among the list of SHAPE volunteers are several high school and college students. Nicole Houck, a Shippensburg University art major and business minor, first got involved with SHAPE through recommendations from SU art professor Ben Culbertson. Houck has taken an active role in running the SHAPE satellite gallery at CJ's American Pub and Grill, and is gaining a lot of experience for her future field.

Another member who plays a big role in helping keep SHAPE on track is treasurer Michael Shawn Richardson, who is also owns the Cabin on King. Other local businesses contribute, as well, through frequent donations like the evening raffle prizes.

During the event, guests were offered the chance to join the team, and received a free tote bag when they signed up to become a member. In addition, many attendees helped fulfill the “Wall of Needs” by donating money for specific items such as paint brushes and stools.

The Winter Gala is the only SHAPE event where all of the proceeds from the artwork go directly toward the gallery. Each piece was donated by a local artist. The selection ranged from a felted bowl to a piano sculpture titled “Keeping Time.” 

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