20 percent of the Book Stall’s sales on Thursday, Dec. 3, will benefit the New Trier Fine Arts Association

Locals can give the gift of a good book this holiday season and simultaneously support the New Trier Fine Arts Association on Dec. 3  during a give-back event at the Book Stall in Winnetka.

On Thursday, Dec. 3, 20 percent of sales will benefit the NTFAA when customers mention this cause. All sales will be online.

The NTFAA is a nonprofit, parent-run organization founded in 1976. Its mission is to promote and enhance the student experience in the fine arts, while building a community among the fine arts families. 

The association provides grants to art, dance, music, theater, media, speech and debate programming. Funding for the nonprofit makes visiting artists and workshops possible.

Summer scholarships allow students to pursue their studies year round. Further, funds offset costs that could make certain programs prohibitive for some families.

This school year the NTFAA has donated $7,600 of grants to support a variety of virtual experiences for fine arts students. For example, art students learned note-taking from New Trier alumna Sarah Goone, of Ink Factory Studio.

Media students have created films to submit to the online All American High School Film Festival Invitational Competition. Debate students were supported by the NTFAA during the Trevian Invitational Tournament. Others enjoyed lessons from world-famous choreographers and composers.

NTFAA board member Heather Oliver explained just how important funding is for this year in particular. 

“New Trier has a rich history of producing talented alumni in different fine arts disciplines,” she said. “Just because we are faced with a pandemic, doesn’t mean the arts have stopped. Just like years past, students are still creating fabulous art; community support is appreciated more than ever so these pursuits can continue.”

Robert McDonald of the Book Stall said he jumped at the chance to once again support the NTFAA. 

“We are happy to support the NTFAA, both because we have done so for years, and because many of our staff have gone to New Trier themselves and sent their children there,” he said. “All of the arts are interwoven: musicians write books, painters sing, singers create poetry. It’s part of our mission and in our best business interests to support a strong arts community.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Book Stall is currently limiting sales to online only. You can visit www.thebookstall.com to purchase items. Remember to mention the NTFAA at the time of purchase and support a great cause all at the same time.