News Archive: 2003

Catalogue for Philanthropy

The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts is one of 70 organizations featured in the new Washington, DC Catalogue for Philanthropy. The Catalogue for Philanthropy seeks to inspire, promote, and reveal the important role of the philanthropic sector of an area.

This first edition of the Washington, DC Guide to Giving focuses on the smaller organizations of Washington, DC such as The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts. These organizations crave the chance to publicize their programs and attract much needed funding opportunities. Smaller organizations provide philanthropists with the chance to make a huge difference.

Go to the Washington, DC 2003 Catalogue for Philanthropy

October 30, 2003

Students Recognized by Senator Kennedy and Senator Clinton

Two Sitar Center students were recognized for their poetry and artwork a.t a Congratulatory Event held at the Russell Senate Building on October 30. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton both spoke at the event, which was sponsored by the Senate Education Committee and the Office of Senator Kennedy.

The event commended students for exceptional work done through the SNAP Project, Seeing Necessary Alternatives through Photography. The goal of the project is to contrast the present lives and values of the students with the results of negative activities and influences. Students photographed valuable parts of their lives along with various scenes in the community. The students then completed the composition with an original piece of writing to accompany the visual images.

Joel Perez, 12, and Jessica Palencia, 10, participated in the project through their visual art and creative writing classes at the Sitar Center. Joel received special recognition for his project entitled, "The Mexican-Americano," which is being featured in the Diversity category, and Jessica received an award for "Exceptional Photography and Creative Writing."

*see photos from this event

October 23, 2003

Juilliard String Quartet Performs at the Sitar Center

The Juilliard String Quartet shared its expressive music and teaching expertise with the Sitar Center community at 2525 Ontario Road, NW on Thursday, October 23 at 4:00pm.

The renowned Juilliard String Quartet is one of the most celebrated chamber ensembles in the world. The Quartet has received many Grammy awards for its extensive recordings, and is a frequent guest at the Library of Congress and across the globe. The Juilliard String Quartet is the resident teaching and performing ensemble at the Juilliard School in New York City and is responsible for coaching many of the world's greatest ensembles.

Students in the Sitar Center String Quartet and String Ensemble were coached by Juilliard Quartet members Joel Smirnoff, Ronald Copes, Samuel Rhodes, and Joel Krosnick, during their visit to the Sitar Center. The Juilliard Quartet also performed for the students and led a question and answer session.

The Sitar Center expresses much gratitude to the Library of Congress and each member of the Juilliard String Quartet for making this exciting event possible.

June 7, 2003

Announcing Release of Lifting As We Climb, Volume III and Homecoming 2003 CD Collection

Lifting As We Climb is a collaborative arts project between the creative writing and art classes at the Sitar Center. It is a written and pictorial expression of the childrens' thoughts, emotions and truths. The poets selected their favorite pieces and they were read aloud to the art classes. The artists responded to the poetry with prints, paintings, and drawings that the words evoked. A delightful dialogue of word and illustration evolved. We are happy to share with you the third annual volume of art and poetry.

Homecoming 2003 Collection is a recording of the Sitar Center Music Ensembles.

If you would like to receive a copy of Lifting As We Climb or Homecoming 2003 Collection, please contact us. A tax deductible donation to cover the cost of shipping would be most appreciated.

January 31, 2003

The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts Finds New Home

The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts ushered in a new era of opportunity for D.C. area at-risk children, youth, and families on Jan. 31 by securing new space in the community for its innovative arts education programs. Securing the new facility at 1700 Kalorama Road, NW, concludes a four-year effort to expand in order to meet the growing need for affordable arts education in Washington, D.C.

“Our new space will allow us to serve a greater spectrum of the D.C. community, including at-risk children and youth, in a safe, nurturing environment where the dancers have room to dance, the musicians have room to play and where teachers can do their best teaching,” said Rhonda Buckley, the Executive Director and Founder of the Sitar Center. “Securing a new home also brings tremendous opportunities and challenges to identify new resources and community support for our expanded programs.”