Artclectic celebrates record-breaking success, community spirit

By Grace Hu, Artclectic Co-Chair

Artclectic 2024 Chairs Tara Goldberg, Grace Hu, and Felicia Tibbs are thrilled to announce the incredible success of this year’s Artclectic fundraiser, which brought together a diverse array of artists, volunteers, and supporters to benefit innovative teaching initiatives at USN. The lively show featured an impressive lineup of new and returning artists whose eclectic styles and works breathed vibrant energy into the event. With record attendance across all events, Artclectic continues to highlight the deep community commitment to fostering creativity in education. With the highest-ever gross art sales of $333,784, USN will receive 30% of those sales after expenses. All proceeds will go towards innovative teaching initiatives.

Thursday, October 17 through Saturday, October 19 was packed with excitement and energy, particularly at the Patrons Party, where attendees gathered to celebrate art, connect with artists, and support USN’s educational goals. Special thanks to Blake Murray and Liz Hammond, whose exceptional leadership as chairs of the Patrons Party made the night truly unforgettable. 

One of the highlights of this year’s Artclectic was the popularity of our featured artist, Melissa Ellen Hood, whose pieces captivated both students and patrons alike. Hood’s tiger sculpture, "Peabody Jr.," received enthusiastic responses from all ages. We are grateful to Karly & Darin Murphy (Wyatt '30) for their generosity in purchasing and donating "Peabody Jr." to USN, allowing the piece to become part of our community.

It was heartening to see the meaningful connections formed between the artists and students, who found inspiration in their conversations and the artworks on display. Heather Eskridge, one of the exhibiting artists, struck up a friendship with Vivi Goldberg '32, who felt so inspired by the encounter that she painted a picture for Eskridge to take home. Moments like these capture the spirit of Artclectic, where art serves as a bridge between generations and fuels the imaginations of our future innovators.

Thank you to everyone who made this event such a success — including the incredibly talented artists, our sponsors, volunteers, and guests who gave their time and support. Artclectic’s highest-ever gross art sales reflect not only the success of the event but also the commitment of our community to advancing education in imaginative, meaningful ways. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact of this year’s event on USN classrooms.

Here’s to another remarkable Artclectic — and to the power of art to inspire, connect, and transform.