Schools
Proceeds of Van Winkle Artwork to Benefit Citrus College Students
The Van Winkle family attended a recent board of trustees meeting, where the college expressed its appreciation for the donation.
The family of Chris Van Winkle, acclaimed artist and esteemed educator, recently presented Citrus College with a donation of more than $17,000 to support visual arts students in their pursuit of higher education.
The watercolor exhibition, "Chris Van Winkle, A New View," was hosted at the Citrus College Art Gallery in November 2019. Highlighting four distinct collections from the artist's portfolio, all paintings were available for purchase, with the proceeds benefiting the Chris Van Winkle Memorial Scholarship. In addition to the 17 pieces on display, numerous unframed paintings were sold.
The Van Winkle family attended the Jan. 21 meeting of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, where the college expressed its appreciation for the donation.
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"The Van Winkle family's support of Citrus College and its fine arts students is a touching tribute to the career and legacy of a respected faculty member," said Dr. Geraldine M. Perri, superintendent/president of Citrus College. "The art exhibition was a creative way to raise funds for students, and I am grateful for the Van Winkle family's willingness to share these beautiful and original watercolor paintings."
Chris Van Winkle served Citrus College and its students for 30 years. In addition to teaching watercolor classes in the college's visual arts program, he was also a signature member of the National Watercolor Society. His art earned him numerous awards and speaking engagements across the United States and abroad.
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When Mr. Van Winkle passed away in January 2016, the Chris Van Winkle Memorial Scholarship was established in his memory. The scholarship is the first the Citrus College Foundation has offered exclusively for visual arts students and is available through a competitive process that involves being nominated by a faculty member.
"On behalf of the board of trustees, I would like to thank the Van Winkle family, the Citrus College Visual and Performing Arts Division, and the Citrus College Foundation for working together to produce such a successful exhibition," said Dr. Patricia A. Rasmussen, president of the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees. "I am confident that many future artists will be empowered to realize their dreams due to the generosity of the Van Winkle family."
