MassBay to Unveil $100,000 of Donated Artwork in Memory of Krystle Campbell

On Thursday November 14th from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm MassBay Community College will host a very special event, An Evening of Art, Artists and Achievement, on their Wellesley Hills campus, 50 Oakland Street.  The event will be highlighted by a viewing of the 25 original pieces of art recently gifted to the College by 21 artists through the Art Connection in honor of MassBay alumna Krystle Campbell.

The gift from the Art Connection has an estimated value of $100,000 and is dedicated to the memory of Krystle Campbell, who earned an Associate Degree in Business Administration from MassBay in 2005.  She was killed this spring at age 29 while standing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.    

The Art Connection is a nonprofit organization that facilitates the acquisition of art by local service agencies that may not otherwise have the ability to experience the transformative possibilities of art.  Since 1995, the Art Connection has identified and catalogued original works of art donated by generous artisans, and then provided opportunities for the works to be viewed by a large number of people.  The gift from the Art Connection to MassBay of 25 original works of art is valued at $100,000.

“This Thursday we are celebrating the tremendous gift that has been bestowed on our College,” said Mary Shia, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Alumni Relations.  “Our college community will benefit from the sculptures and artwork now on display for decades to come.  In addition to brightening our hallways, the gift from the Art Connection will inspire current and future artists in our community and foster a deeper connection to the college.  We are proud to honor the life of Krystle Campbell in this powerful and purposeful way.”

The event will begin with remarks from Michelle Drolet, the MassBay Foundation Board Chair, President John O’Donnell, and from the Art Connection Program Manager Sarah Berry.  Following the brief speaking program, MassBay students will serve as docents for art tours throughout the campus.  The event is free and open to the public by RSVPing to Teresa Mortell at 781-239-3125 or via email: tmortell@massbay.edu.

MassBay awards associate degrees and certificates in over 70 academic programs in a wide range of career-driven subjects ranging from accounting and automotive technology to forensic DNA science and early childhood education. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded life-long learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.  More information about MassBay and the upcoming spring semester and winter intersession, where students earn three college credits in 11 days, can be found at www.massbay.edu, or by calling (781) 239-2411.