La Barbera art exhibit benefits students

Chester — Tom La Barbera Jr. and Mae Malarski, son and daughter of Tom La Barbera, have announced the results of the display and sale of Tom’s Canvas paintings which the Chester Historical Society featured during the 2010 Erie Station museum season. At a meeting of the Board of Education of the Chester Union Free School District to be held in February, La Barbera and Malarski will present a check in the amount of $6,400. These funds came as a result of the exhibit and sale which took place during the summer. They will be making the presentation after speaking with members of the art department and the administrators at the Chester Academy. The intent is to have the following goals achieved: An annual scholarship of $500 will be presented to a graduating student for the next 10 years in memory of Tom La Barbera. The wording and the criteria will be established this year, before the first scholarship is presented at the June graduation. The balance of the funds, $ 1,400, will be used to create a display case which will be located outside the art room at the Chester Academy. The display case will have a small plaque in memory of Tom La Barbera. In addition it will serve as a place to display the work of students at the Chester Academy. La Barbera and Malarski have expressed their thanks and appreciation to all those who have helped to make this such a successful project and a fitting tribute to Tom La Barbera, their father and a lifelong member of the Chester community. The Chester Historical Society is proud to have been a part of this community effort.