Image courtesy of Giertz Gallery on Parkland College Facebook

Author: Alexis Ramirez, Special Writer December 9, 2021

Lisa Costello, director of the Parkland College Art Gallery, said she has always been concerned about the way people pick up different cups. She said that you can learn a lot about a person based on the type of cup they pick up and the cup they put in.

"What color do they like, what shape do they like, or'I like tea', or'I like a big cup of coffee in the morning,' or'I like a very small cup' or'I drink espresso,'" she Say. 

The biennial "Coffee and Tea: Cups and Desserts" benefit will further explore this curiosity as it will return to Parkland College’s Giltz Gallery Lounge on December 9. By purchasing tickets, visitors will be able to enjoy coffee or tea in their cups. Selection, live classical guitar performance and ceramic art bidding.

Costello said the free cups available were collected as donations from faculty, staff and students in the past two years. Selected works will also be available for purchase.

"People really like it because there is a feeling of expecting a cup made by one of our students or faculty, and of course, silent auctions will add to this," Costello said.

There are 54 items at online and silent auctions, including ceramics, prints and scarves for teachers and students. The auction will end at 2 pm, and there will be a live silent auction at the Giertz Gallery.

Before Parkland’s hospitality project ended, Parkland’s students made welfare desserts.

This year, desserts will be provided by sponsor Nothing Bundt Cakes, which is the sponsor of the welfare and ceramics invitational contest. Costello said that Champagne franchise owner Mia Fuller is excited about the prospect of sponsoring this benefit. The small cakes in this store are small cakes made with Bundt pans, which are shaped like donuts and will be pre-packaged for tourists to take home.

Costello said that Parkland College has restricted access to its campus buildings in accordance with state regulations.

Visitors must present a vaccination certificate or a recent negative test for COVID-19 to enter. A mask must be worn at all times, except when drinking alcohol. The organizers prepared an isolation area outside the lounge for tourists to enjoy desserts as needed. The benefit is divided into two periods—starting at 4pm and 5:30pm—to help maintain social distancing.

COVID-19 safety precautions also have an impact on the live music performances selected by the welfare. This year's event will have only one solo performer—Dr. Guido Sanchez-Portuguez, clinical assistant professor of guitar at the Illinois Conservatory of Music—not the band.

"The art gallery has always been the perfect place for classical guitar performance," said Dr. Sanchez-Portuguez.

Costello said that the small size of the art gallery is not suitable for louder music, because it makes it difficult for guests to hear each other during a conversation. Dr. Sanchez-Portuguez will perform various classical guitar standards, original solo works and popular song adaptations.

This benefit is held concurrently with "The Biennale of the Most Advanced Ceramics: Living World in Clay". The exhibition is curated by Parkland ceramics professor Chris Berti and showcases the work of contemporary artists who integrate "human and animal images into ceramic forms". Although the art exhibition is held once a year, it alternates between "Works on Paper" and the Ceramic Invitational Exhibition.

Costello said that Giltz Gallery collaborates with local communities in a variety of ways. Admission is always free and open to the public. The biennial "Around the Block: Artists in Our Community" exhibits the work of people living in Champaign and surrounding counties. Costello said the gallery provides travel for community members who want to visit nearby art institutions without the burden of travel. Destinations include the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago River Architecture Tour and the St. Louis Art Museum.

"Please come out and support the art of our community," Costello said. "We have great-about 130-cups to choose from."

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