Beacon Charter to present awards at annual fundraiser

WOONSOCKET — On Saturday, Sept. 28, Beacon Charter Schools will host their annual fundraiser, “A Knight to Remember” at the Roger Williams Park Casino in Providence.

The event serves as Beacon’s primary fundraiser, as well as an opportunity to welcome all members of the school community to celebrate the accomplishments of their student artists, faculty and staff, alumni and other distinguished members of the community. Beacon will be presenting four awards to local organizations and people who have worked to support and promote the arts.

Lynn Singleton, President of the Providence Performing Arts Center, will be presented with Beacon’s Vanguard of the Arts award. The Vanguard of the Arts award recognizes an individual who has blazed a trail through the practice of his/ her art, or who has kept the arts alive and thriving in the community.

In 1983, Singleton arrived at PPAC and successfully reversed the theatre’s financial situation from near bankruptcy. With credit to Singleton’s efforts, PPAC is considered one of the most successful, not-for-profit theaters in North America. Singleton sits on the Government Relations Committee of the Broadway League and is a voting member for the “Tony Awards.” In 2004, he was the recipient of the Broadway League’s Samuel J. L’Hommedieu Award for Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management. In 2011 and again in 2016, Lynn was named as one of the 25 “driving forces” in the Rhode Island business community over the past 25 years by Providence Business News.

Beacon will honor Singleton with their Vanguard of the Arts award for his steadfast efforts to embolden theatre arts and to ensure the art form continues to thrive in Rhode Island. Singleton’s leadership and steadfast efforts to encourage the creation of art by others is unparalleled in Rhode Island.

Beacon will be presenting their Community Partner award to the City of Woonsocket’s Parks and Recreation Department. The Community Partner award honors efforts to collaborate with and support Beacon student artists and their families, as well as the greater community. The Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Department graciously hosts community wide events that are both educational and charitable.

Beacon will be presenting the Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Department with the Community Partner award as a token of appreciation and gratitude for sharing their facilities and welcoming Beacon Charter High School and Founders Academy Middle School with open arms.

This year’s recipient of the Distinguished Alumnae Award is Amber V. Martin, from Beacon’s class of 2008. During her time at Beacon, Martin studied Theatre Arts and was dedicated to perfecting her art, while achieving academic success. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Rhode Island College, she then earned a Master of Science in Environmental Anthropology from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, followed by a Master of Science in Data Analytics from Southern New Hampshire University. Currently, Martin is working as a Public Policy Analyst at Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council. Martin gives credit to her theatre education at Beacon for helping her develop her public speaking and communication skills.

Beacon’s last award recipient is local illustrator Peter J. Thornton.

Thornton will be honored with Beacon’s Spotlight Artist award The Spotlight Artist award recognizes local artists who use their art to shine a spotlight on our local community. Thornton is a Providence native. His books, cards and prints feature the diverse neighborhoods and residents of his beloved hometown. A 1978 graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Illustration, his career has covered many disciplines. Upon graduation, he worked as an Art Director for the award-winning local children’s arts television program, “Allamaze,” where he created sets, puppets, and props.

In the years following, he illustrated numerous greeting cards and children’s books for Morrow, Godine, and Lerner Publishers. He also produced illustrated campus maps for local institutions, marketed fine art prints of his work, and taught several illustration classes for The Wheeler School in Providence.

Beacon’s event will be an opportunity to recognize and celebrate these achievements, while at the same time raising funds to support their schools. The funds raised at the event are critical to sustaining the high quality of Beacon’s arts and academic programs. “A Knight to Remember” is the main event of “Back to Beacon Weekend,” Beacon’s first ever homecoming weekend.

The event is an adult reception, that is open to the public, with dinner, drinks, and live music. The Timeless Band, featuring Beacon alumnus Ja’Mere Pena, will be providing the entertainment. There will also be a silent auction and raffles to help raise money for Beacon Charter Schools.

To purchase tickets, donate, or sponsor the event, visit www.biddingforgood.com/beacongala/2019.