It’s a century on display.

The Baum School of Art “Centennial Gala” celebrates 100 years of art.

For a single evening, a century of Allentown art history will come together under one roof.

On Oct. 17, The Baum School of Art is set to celebrate its 100th anniversary with its “Centennial Gala.”

The special gathering will welcome artists, students, teachers, donors and community members who have been instrumental in weaving the school into the Lehigh Valley’s cultural fabric.

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., guests will gather at Baum’s newly expanded and renovated campus for an evening that celebrates the school’s past while embracing its future.

For Shannon S. Fugate, executive director of The Baum School of Art, the evening is as much about gratitude as it is about celebration:

“This isn’t just our annual gala, it’s a celebration of everything the school has built over a century, and a chance to say thank you to a community that helped carry us through our recent expansion and renovation.”

Fugate reflects on the legacy of Baum, noting that it ultimately centers around the individuals who have passed through its doors.

“Reaching our 100th year is a milestone that belongs to all of us: the founders who believed a small art school could take root in Allentown, the generations of students who discovered their creativity here, and the teachers, donors and community partners who kept that mission alive through a century of change,” Fugate says.

The evening’s festivities will highlight Baum’s historical journey, featuring Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra jazz band, a nod to 1926 and the decade in which Baum was founded.

The silent auction will feature a unique piece of Baum history. In collaboration with the Martin Guitar Foundation, a special guitar showcasing a Walter Baum painting is being created for the centennial celebration.

Guests will enjoy drinks, hors d’oeuvres and dinner prepared by Karen Hunter and the Sayre Mansion while exploring Baum’s transformed campus.

The renovation aims to set the stage for the next century, not just to refresh the existing building.

Fugate explains, “This project wasn’t just about updating a building. It was about making sure we have the space and infrastructure to serve our community for another century.”

The project added approximately 5,500-square-feet while renovating 25,000-square-feet of existing space. Baum has raised 90% of its campaign goal, with additional gifts still welcome as the school works toward completing the campaign.

While the centennial offers a chance to look back, the gala helps fund the work happening in Baum’s classrooms today.

Gala support goes toward Baum’s annual operating budget, helping cover teaching artists’ salaries, art materials, classroom equipment, utilities and other costs. That keeps tuition affordable while allowing Baum to continue its community outreach programs.

During the 2024-25 school year, Baum served 4,404 students through onsite, offsite and community outreach programs. Nearly 2,000 students received assistance through discounts, scholarships, financial aid or community outreach initiatives.

The numbers tell part of the story. The philosophy behind them is even simpler: Everyone deserves a place to create.

Baum serves students of all ages and abilities, including youth, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities. Its community partnerships include the Autism Society of the Lehigh Valley, Mercy School for Special Learning and United Care Community Home.

The impact of these programs extends beyond teaching artistic techniques. Art fosters a sense of accomplishment, a means of expression and a way to navigate complex experiences. For seniors and veterans, it promotes engagement and connection to the community, while for students with disabilities, it provides an environment that emphasizes strengths over challenges.

It is part of what has allowed Baum to remain relevant across generations: a community built not around one age, ability or level of experience, but around the simple act of creating.

As Baum enters its second century, it is carrying the lessons and legacy of its first 100 years forward through expanded programs, greater accessibility and outreach, and continued connections with the community.

The future may look different from Baum’s first century. Fugate says the purpose remains remarkably familiar:

“A hundred years in, the same guiding principle still stands: that art education should be accessible, and that creativity strengthens a community.”

The “Centennial Gala” will offer an opportunity to celebrate that history in the very place where its next chapter is taking shape.

Even after 100 years, there is still art to make, students to teach, and a great deal more to see.

“Centennial Gala,” 6 - 9 p.m. Oct. 17, The Baum School of Art, 510 W. Linden St., Allentown. Tickets: $250, including food, drinks and entertainment.

Tickets, information: https://www.baumschool.org/gala

“Good Cause” is a column about fundraisers and galas in the Lehigh Valley. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com