The Kiwanis Club of Rockford is 8th annual fundraiser Budding Artists Gala will be held Friday May 12, from 5:30 to 9pm at the Radisson Conference Center in Rockford.

The annual fundraiser supports grant awards to community organizations that help children and families. 28 high school students donate their artwork to be auctioned off during a live auction.

Each student receives half of the sale price of their pieces, $250 is given to each art department of the 10 participating schools and three $1,000 education grants are awarded (participating BA students are invited to submit an application; the recipients are selected after the grant committee reviews and scores the applications).

Participating schools are from Rockford Public Schools District 205: Auburn, East, Guilford, Jefferson, Roosevelt, Christian Life High School; Keith Country Day School; Rockford Christian High School; Boylan Catholic High School and Rockford Lutheran High School. Live music by Emerald Wind.  Dinner includes a plated dinner and dessert. Cash Bar.