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closeUNIVERSITY PARK — Painter Laura Winn Kane’s subject — a stained-glass window in the Beta Theta Pi house — is still, but fluctuating.
CDT/Christopher Weddle
Laura Winn Kane works on a painting of the windows in the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity house on Burrowes Road on Monday, July 13, 2009. CDT/Christopher Weddle
“The light changes very quickly. So at different times of day it looks completely different,” said Kane. “That’s been a fun thing to work out.”
Kane, of Port Matilda, is one of about 10 artists who have been drawing inspiration from the 80-year-old home at 220 N. Burrowes Road through a fundraiser organized by the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania and the fraternity.
Robert Hughes painted the home’s brick exterior. Rita Graef brought to life an orange tapestry chair and n e w s p a p e r -c o v e r e d ottoman. Kane, who specializes in still life oil paintings, opted for the stained-glass window in the home’s trophy room. The window includes coat of arms for the state, Beta Theta Pi and the Penn family.
Built in 1929, Penn State’s Beta House is in the final stages of a $7 million restoration by the fraternity and Penn State alum Don Abbey.
The home was recently vacated by students, according to chapter adviser Ken Rawley. The fraternity’s national office disbanded Penn State’s Alpha Upsilon chapter in February because of allegations of alcohol violations and hazing. Rawley said students could be back in the house by the fall of 2010, after an interview process of future house members by the national fraternity office.
The pieces the artists are creating of various aspects of the Beta Theta house are expected to sell for $1,000 to $5,000 at an Aug. 30 sale. Proceeds from the sale will be divided between the artists, the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania and the fraternity’s Abbey Leadership Foundation.
An art relay will feature artists rotating to artwork at various stations during the evening. Each artist is slated to get a 15 minute crack at each canvas, although Kane joked that she’s pushing for more time. She’ll be straying from her oil painting expertise, and working with clay, charcoal and pastels.
“It teaches people not to be afraid to try new things,” she said.
Ed Mahon can be reached at 231-4619.
The Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania and Beta Theta Pi’s art sale will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at 220 N. Burrowes Road Tickets are $50 a person. The event is open to the public and includes hors d’ oeuvres, a wine bar and live music. To order tickets, call the Art Alliance at 234-2740.
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