DANBURY, CONN. — The Western Connecticut State University Department of Art will host a gallery opening for the “100@100 Off-the-Wall Art Exhibition,” benefiting the WCSU Gallery Exhibitions program, in the Art Gallery at the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The opening will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, at which time guests can preview 100 works of art by 100 artists, to be claimed in a drawing at the “100@100 Off-the Wall Fundraiser” on Saturday, March 7.

The artwork will remain on view during gallery hours (noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday) through Thursday, March 5. The “100@100 Off-the Wall Fundraiser” will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 7.

Professional local and regional artists, including WCSU Department of Art faculty, MFA students and alumni, have generously donated all of the artwork that will be on display and included in the drawing.

“100@100” is an exciting evening of art, music, food, drinks — and anticipation. There are numerous ways to participate:

• A $200 investment provides “The Ultimate Arts Package,” which includes two tickets for the March 7 matinee performance of the WCSU Theatre Arts Department production of “You Can’t Take It With You,” plus two tickets to attend the gallery event that evening. One ticket also will be entered into the drawing for a work of art, along with a thank-you gift.

• A $100 ticket provides admittance for one person to the gallery event, and one entry into the drawing for a work of art.

• A $25 General Admission Ticket provides admittance for one person to the gallery event to enjoy the food, music and festivities, but does not include participation in the “Off-the-Wall” drawing.

General Admission Tickets may be purchased online or at the door on the day of the event. Cash or checks will be accepted at the door. Because there are 100 pieces of art, only 100 tickets that provide entry into the drawing are available at either the $200 or $100 price, and these must be purchased by Friday, Feb. 27. Each of the 100 ticket holders who are entitled to participate in the drawing are guaranteed a piece of art. All tickets can be purchased online at www.wcsu.edu/art100.

Promptly at 5 p.m. on March 7, the names of the 100 ticket holders who qualify for entry into the drawing will be placed in a box, and in the order they are pulled, the individual will be able to select from any of the remaining 100 artworks off the wall until all artwork is claimed. This provides an opportunity for art collectors and enthusiasts to acquire a beautiful piece of artwork while helping to support the WCSU Department of Art.

For more information, call Lori Robeau at (203) 837-8403 or visit www.wcsu.edu/art/gallery.html.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.