Student donates 16 paintings to charity

The primary goal of most artists is to make an impression on those who view their work. Paintings by North Lake student Kapil Dixit appear to have made at least 118 impressions. That’s how many people participated in a charity auction featuring Dixit’s vibrant work.

“The auction was a tremendous success from a variety of perspectives,” said Professor of Art Chris Fulmer. “Opening the bid box was like unwrapping a present. The box was stuffed full of bids, a majority of them from students.”

Fulmer said that Dixit’s gift of 16 paintings was “extremely generous.” More than $1,600 was raised during the silent auction sponsored by North Lake College’s art club. The club, “We Expose Ourselves to Art” or WEOTA, donated auction proceeds to those effected by September‘s Hurricane Katrina.

“If I help one person or family, I think I will have done something for my beloved father,” said Dixit, about his decision to donate the paintings. Dixit, who is from Katmandu, Nepal, sought to honor the memory of his father who passed away two years ago. “I was so far from home that I couldn’t be with him when he needed me the most.”

He admits he still feels bad about the situation. His mother told him that his father kept asking for him “until he closed his eyes.”

Dixit’s respect for the Hindu god Ganesh is apparent. He says that Ganesh is frequently depicted as a figure with the body of a human and the head of an elephant. Students studying World Religion at North Lake will recognize the familiar Hindu images, which Dixit saturates with vibrant colors — orange and red spread liberally in acrylic and oil.

It’s likely that his series of Ganesh-themed paintings and his generous actions would have pleased his father.

For more information about Dixit, visit www.kapildixit.com/default1.htm.