One of the many highlights of the Chancellor’s Benefit for the Arts gala is the cocktail hour and silent auction. With proceeds from the gala being used to support the performing and visual art programs on campus as well as the University Museum and Cultural Center, the silent auction is an exciting way to feature visual art, ceramics, and pottery created by a wide range of both emerging and established artists. High-quality wall mirrors are among the items up for auction this year. These unique and authentic decorative items are ideal for both home and office. All bidding is done the night of the gala with winners announced at the end of the evening. The auction begins at 6:30 pm on February 26th.
Celebrants of the gala will be in for a treat at the Pine Bluff Convention Center this Saturday when Attorney Carla Martin takes the stage as Mistress of Ceremony. Martin, a native of Pine Bluff, graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as the University’s top graduate in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. She then attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville School of Law and received a Juris Doctorate degree in 2004.
Upon graduation from law school, Attorney Martin returned to Pine Bluff and accepted employment with The Brown Law Firm (now McKissic & Associates). While there, Attorney Martin practiced in the areas of criminal defense, domestic relations (adoptions, child custody, child support, divorce), personal injury, wrongful death, probate (wills), real estate, and civil litigation. During her time in Pine Bluff, Attorney Martin was an adjunct professor in the School of Business and Management at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff teaching Economics I, Economics II, and Risk Management. Today, she serves as the Dean of the School of Business and Management at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff spending her time strengthening the core of the business program by teaching students, coordinating the school’s academic and administrative operations, developing budgets and managing the school’s fiscal affairs, recruiting faculty, fundraising, and engaging with community and business leaders.
The UAPB Jazz Ensemble has become synonymous with the great entertainment featured at the Chancellor’s Benefit for the Arts! This year will be no exception. Under the direction of Mr. Daryl Evans, the 25-member ensemble will perform jazz selections of varying eras. The Jazz Ensemble has performed at local, state, and national events. Notable accomplishments include: Jazz Series produced by the late Art Porter of KETS TV, Inaugural Ball for Governor Bill Clinton (1985) as well as numerous performances at the Arkansas All-State Music Conference, and the Hot Springs Annual Jazz Festival.
