Faces photo exhibit to raise funds for arts center
Opening will feature appetizers by Amy Zupanci
The photography exhibit, "Faces: Portraits of the Community," will feature nearly 400 portraits of people who live or work in the Edwardsville and Glen Carbon area.
The photos were taken by 20 area photographers, from novice to professional, and show a wide range of experience and talent among the photographers, according to Dan Anderson, EAC president."Portraits are so common, and they are interesting because they tell a lot about the person," Anderson said. "We wanted to get a wide variety. We wanted farmers, concrete pourers, school children."
The opening reception will be from 5 to 7 p.m.; a public reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m.
Anderson said the center has been working on the project for a while.
"We're thrilled to finally bring it to fruition," Anderson said.
The first viewing, at 5 p.m., will be a "sneak peek" to help to raise funds for the center, and a sampling of food provided by Amy Zupanci, the chef at Fond, a new restaurant in Edwardsville.
Zupanci will prepare a number of seasonal hors d'oeuvres, made fresh from local ingredients.
"I'm pleased to be part of this fundraiser," she said. "Edwardsville has evolved so much during the past several years and the art center is a perfect reflection of that; it's a great addition to the community."
Anderson said members of the center had heard that she had returned from New York, and was planning to open a restaurant in Edwardsville.
"So this is a way for her to introduce her culinary skills and her appetizers," he said.
Born and raised in Edwardsville, Zupanci studied advertising at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana, before she discovered her true love - cooking.
Both her parents, Jim and Gloria Zupanci, were teachers in the Edwardsville School District.
"Cooking is something I've done all my life," she said. "It wasn't until college that I decided that I should become a professional cook. Before then it was a hobby and I would cook for other people."
She started cooking for a restaurant in Champaign - The Office 2.
"It's a bar and grill," Zupanci said. "I started cooking there as a part-time job and I really loved it."
Zupanci said she was influenced by Italian and Mediterranean traditions, but was trained in French cooking.
She moved to New York to attend culinary school and worked at a number of restaurants in New York City, including Savoy, before returning to St. Louis to work at Niche.
Zupanci is planning to open her new restaurant in October, in the Bohm building, at the corner of Vandalia and Main streets in downtown Edwardsville.
Fond will feature local fruits and vegetables, herbs, meats and chicken, with a seasonal menu.
For more information, visit www.edwardsvilleartscenter.org.
Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased for $35 by calling 655-0337 or by e-mailing edwartscenter@att.net.
