For Immediate Release
WELLINGTON, FL – March 13, 2014 – This year’s annual Art Project sponsored by Equestrian Sport Productions presented several challenges, but talented students from 13 Wellington schools surpassed expectations.
Students from Binks Forest Elementary School have fun decorating their bench.
For the past three years, students of all ages in Wellington have been given the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents to the community. With all participating schools receiving a minimum of a $1,000 donation towards their art program, all have thoroughly enjoyed each project. The 2012 project was the decoration of a life-size horse statue; 2013 students were given oversized blank canvases and 2014 was the year of the wraparound bench. With 250,000 visitors coming through the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) each year, Equestrian Sport Productions proudly displays all of these projects throughout their two facilities.
The students’ creations will be revealed on Sunday, March 23, 2014, during Wellington’s “Palm Beach Pooch Party” at The Stadium at PBIEC. This community event offers free general admission and parking.
A judging panel will award prizes to this year’s Best Overall project, the Best Representation of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, Most Creative, and Most Inspirational. The Best Overall Project will receive a $2,500 donation while other awards will proudly receive $1,500 respectively. Each school is guaranteed a minimum of $1,000. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place at 3:30 PM at the center of the event, in the courtyard area.
Students from Elbridge Gale Elementary School working on their project.
Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, managing partners of Equestrian Sport Productions, have been at the heart of the company’s community outreach efforts for the last five years and envision a growing relationship with local schools in years to come.
“Through the Great Charity Challenge, the Wellington PTA/PTO/PTSA groups have received over $300,000 in the last three years. We believe that these funds have a direct positive impact for the children in the community. By inviting the community at large to this display, we hope that everyone will get to enjoy the local talents displayed right here in our backyard,” said Mark Bellissimo.
Anne-Caroline Valtin, Director of Community Outreach of Equestrian Sport Productions, added, “The local talent displayed by the schools, students, and their teachers is fantastic. It’s a true honor to exhibit their work.”
The bench decorated by Wellington Landings Middle School.
The Palm Beach Pooch Party is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 23, 2014, at The Stadium at PBIEC, 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, FL 33414 from 12 PM to 4:30 PM. The event is free admission and free parking.
About Equestrian Sport Productions
Equestrian Sport Productions owns and operates 42 weeks of USEF rated horse shows from September through June at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. They are the managing entity of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival and work with the goal of creating the premiere Equestrian Lifestyle Destination in the world.