GMU 'Off the Wall' Scholarship Benefit April 16

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA -- An artsy fundraiser is coming up at George Mason University with hands-on art displays, award-winning short films, interactive video games and app demonstrations.

All the fun is for a good cause, raising money for student scholarships and visitings artists' funds.

George Mason University’s School of Art, Computer Game Design Program and Film and Video Studies Program will present their third annual Off the Wall benefit event Saturday, April 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Art and Design Building on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, at 4400 University Dr.

Off the Wall brings the works of Mason students and faculty to life through an evening of art exhibitions, special interactive installations, live video shoots, computer gaming simulations, open studios and a silent art auction, as well as sumptuous food and beverages.

This highly anticipated event supports student scholarships and the visiting artists’ funds for the Computer Game Design Program, Film and Video Studies Program and School of Art at George Mason University.

This year' Distinguished Visiting Artist

This year, “Off the Wall” welcomes Siebren Versteeg as the School of Art’s Distinguished Visiting Artist from its Navigation Press Printing Program. Artsy Magazine named Versteeg as one of its “30 Artists to Watch” during the prestigious 2015 Frieze art fair. The magazine raves “Versteeg’s vibrant, painterly works are created with computer algorithms, which take images from the web and distort them into unrecognizable, abstract blurs. After the program has run its course, the images are printed on canvas and framed—acting as analog artifacts of the digital world.” His work has been exhibited at the Hirshhorn Museum, James Cohen Gallery, Bitforms, Rhona Hoffman Gallery, Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as numerous other national and international venues.

Student/faculty showcase

Students and faculty in disciplines of photography, printmaking and papermaking, sculpture, painting, graphic design, drawing, new media, game design, and film and video, showcase their skills through interactive exhibitions, installations and activities. A highlight from the School of Art is a “Paper Boat Making Workshop” complete with an indoor pool to sail creations at sea. The lighting studio will be active with an installation of props and costumes made entirely out of paper, inviting guests to don a costume and be photographed in a staged environment.

Guests will also have the opportunity to view and play student-developed games and apps in the Computer Game Design Program Arcade and learn about the cutting-edge game research and development work of the Virginia Serious Game Institute at Mason. Award-winning documentary and fiction short films from current Film and Video Studies students and alumni will be screened and guests can experience #setlife working the camera and acting in a fun film shoot.

Silent auction

Off the Wall also features a silent auction of painting, photography, sculpture, and prints by distinguished regional artists and Mason faculty including: Shanna Carvel, courtesy of Turner Print Museum; Asma Chaudhary; Steven Durrow; Susan Eder & Craig Davis; Aaron Heinsman; Francie Hester, courtesy Kaller Fine Arts; Robin Kent; Steve Ludlum; James Aarons, William Dunlap, Nancy Genn, Peter Kitchell, and John Van Alstine, courtesy Artists Circle Fine Art; Linn Meyers, courtesy Sandra Gering Inc.; Martin Cervantez, Carol Martens, Phoebe Peterson, courtesy Workhouse Center for the Arts; Susan Stacks, courtesy of Adah Rose Gallery; Noelle Tan, courtesy Civilian Art Projects; Khalid Thompson, courtesy Agora Culture; Zopfie Lang and Mojdeh Rezaeipour, courtesy Olly Olly Gallery. In addition, original works by noted faculty and graduate students will be available for sale.

Ticket Information: Tickets are $60 per person and $25 for visual arts alumni from George Mason University’s School of Art, Computer Game Design and Film and Video Studies programs.

For more information about Off the Wall or to purchase tickets, please visit Offthewall.gmu.edu or contact Susan Graziano at sglomb@gmu.edu or (703) 993-4188. The Art and Design Building is located on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, Va. 22030. Complimentary parking for this event will be available in the Shenandoah Parking Deck.

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 33,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. Mason is also one of the best values in higher education, producing graduates who lead all Virginia schools with the highest annual salaries.