Empowerment Through The Arts in Pennsylvania will encourage creativity in a far away place.

The event, which includes a silent auction, food, performers and dancing, will raise funds for United African Alliance Community Center's (UAACC) art empowerment programs in Arusha, Tanzania, in Africa.

"During my visit [to State College] last year, I spoke on the UAACC Empowerment through the Arts program that has impacted the lives of many youth and women in our area," Charlotte Hill O'Neal, one of the organization's founders, said.

O'Neal said that because women and youth have been able to gain skills in the arts, they have gained not only financially but also have added to their personal stature and confidence. "Many have exhibited their work both in Tanzania and in America and have become known as artists and teachers," she said.

The proceeds will also support a summer trip of students to Tanzania for Women's Studies 497A (Feminism, Art and Global Activism). The students will provide support, art supplies and materials to the UAACC programs. "We look forward to it," O'Neal said. "I met so many good people during my stay at Penn State, and I look forward to reciprocating."

The event is sponsored by The Penns Valley Arts Coalition. The organization's director, Marla Jaksch, is also a Penn State instructor and met O'Neal when she came here to screen a film. "I connected with [O'Neal] because she created a program ... that provides participants with artistic training and skills that might provide a stable source of income," Jaksch said.

Part of the Empowerment event is a silent auction that will highlight works by many local artists. About 45 artists donated works, as well as about 20 business and local producers. "There are a lot of artists in Penns Valley with not a lot of places to show their work, lots of art lovers, but who have to travel many miles away to see exhibits," Jaksch said.

Auction items include paintings, photography, jewelry, hand-painted silk scarves, metal work and glass beads. There are also gift certificates, books, a horse and buggy ride, overnight bed and breakfast stays, and gift baskets. Karen Daystar is one artist who donated for the auction. "I've been to Tanzania and actually met a group of women supporting themselves with their art," she said. "So of course it sounded like something I wanted to donate to."

Aaron Rosenberg (graduate-comparative literature), a DJ, will provide some of the entertainment during the event.

"The DJ was selected because he has a radio program on [the radio station] the Lion that features African and world music," Jaksch said. "His wife is also Tanzanian."

Other performers include Crystal Leigh Endsley, a spoken-word artist and doctoral candidate in women's studies and curriculum and instruction. Vocalist LeTrez Myer (graduate-media studies) will also perform.