Firehouse Theatre's POP! Dedicates Tonight's Performance to Cindy Neuschwander

FIREHOUSE Theatre Partners with 1708 Gallery and honors a fellow Richmond artist this Friday as it dedicates tonight's performance of POP! to the beloved Cindy Neuschwander. 100% of ticket sales will benefit The Cindy Neuschwander Scholarship Fund established earlier this year in her memory. Jay Barrows will be giving an exclusive talkback about Andy Warhol and Pop Art immediately following the 8pm performance.

"I, and Cindy would be too, am so pleased that Firehouse Theatre is honoring Cindy and is contributing to The Cindy Neuschwander Scholarship Fund," said Jay Barrows, husband of the late Cindy Neuschwander. "To be able to provide scholarship money for creative art students to go to college is a very worthy cause and is certainly needed. The fact that you are honoring Cindy with one of the performances of POP! makes it even more special."

"Firehouse is honored to dedicate Friday's performance of POP! to Cindy," said Jase Smith, Interim Artistic Director of Firehouse Theatre. "She touched so many people in the arts community. As a graduate of VCUArts, I know the value of arts education. The Cindy Neuschwander Scholarship Fund is a wonderful way to ensure arts education for future generations of Richmond artists."

A Bedford, Texas native, Cindy Lou Neuschwander graduated from University of Texas and received a MFA of Photography from Virginia Commonwealth University. A passionate artist, her drawings and paintings were always intuitive and reflective. In 1999, Cindy met her husband, Jay Barrows, a local art dealer and curator of The Sydney and Frances Lewis Collection; they were married in September 2002. Together, Cindy and Jay were honored with the Theresa Pollak Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 for their "unparalleled dynamism that energizes Richmond's arts scene." In July 2007, Cindy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and ultimately lost her battle to the disease December 4, 2012. She was 60.

Earlier this year, 1708 Gallery announced the annual Cindy Neuschwander Scholarship, established in honor of the memory, generosity of spirit, and artistic talents of Cindy Neuschwander. Given annually to a graduating high school senior who plans to study studio art, the $1,000 scholarship is awarded based on artistic merit and ambition. Each year, the scholarship recognizes a student who is talented, passionate and who shows a willingness to explore and discover art in meaningful ways that can inspire and enhance their lives and the lives of those around them. 1708 Gallery has also dedicated its 2013-14 Exhibition Season to Cindy Neuschwander.

1708 Gallery is a non-profit arts organization founded by artists in 1978 whose mission is to present exceptional new art. 1708 Gallery is committed to providing opportunities for artistic innovation for emerging and established artists and to expanding the understanding and appreciation of new art for the public.

To purchase tickets to POP!, visit www.firehousetheatre.org or call 804-355-2001.

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