Vassar Haiti Project

Last Thursday (February 17th), a wine and cheese reception was held for our art sale at the Greenwich, CT YWCA (February 1st- 25th).  Cindy Fung ’14, one of the four VHP members who attended the reception, recaps the event.

Outside the room where Haitian paintings were mounted, we set up two tables to display and sell handicrafts. The banana keychains, lizard magnets and zebra figurines attracted children and adults alike. Haitian music played as people admired the many paintings and iron sculptures on the walls.

This was my first time attending a VHP art sale, and I was a little nervous at the beginning. But I quickly realized that introducing people to VHP was not an intimidating task at all. Maybe it was the wine and cheese, but conversations flowed seamlessly; I like to believe it was because people were inspired by the art around them. Many were eager to learn about the work of our organization, and I was happy to have the chance to share the colorful spirit of Haiti and VHP with them.

Among the interesting visitors we met at the reception was a Vassar alumna from the Class of 1949. A jetsetter herself, she wanted Vassar students to be able to trot the globe – so she set up an endowment fund for those who wish to do academic work in foreign countries. You can check out the June Ross Marks ’49 Travel Fund here.

It was an evening well spent. I hope the YWCA sale has been going smoothly, and I know I speak for many VHP members when I say that I am excited for all the other upcoming events celebrating our 10^th year anniversary.