For Tiara Tatarczuk, the chance to go to Rome, Italy to study the city’s architecture is a dream come true.
But she needs help.
Tatarczuk, a 2007 graduate of Oxford High School, is currently a junior at the University of Michigan and is studying for a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture at the university’s Taubman College of Art and Design Program.
She was recently selected to participate in the study abroad program, where she will spend May and June analyzing the cities architecture for one of her studio classes.
But in order for her to attend, she needs to raise $5,000 to $6,000 to help cover the cost of travel expenses. So she is putting on a couple of fundraisers over the next few weeks in order to help raise the necessary funds she needs.
‘These fundraisers are just to get me out there,? said Tatarczuk.
She would like to invite everyone out to her main fundraising event at Bullfrogs restaurant (2225 S. Ortonville Road) in Ortonville on Sunday, April 25 from 1-6 p.m. where a portion of everything sold will go towards her trip.
In addition to the proceeds from all of the food and beverage purchases, a silent auction and raffle will be taking place.
One of the items up for bid is a package from Lennon Photo, which includes a free on location photo session with four free 8×10 photos.
While in Rome, Tatarczuk will analyze and deconstruct sites in order to understand how architecture and urbanism can be used to express political intentions.
Her group will also examine sites where intended meanings have been transformed and changed by the people who use them through resistance, new constructions and the development of collective memories.
One of the things that she is most excited about is the practicing exercise that each person is required to do while on the trip.
‘We’re actually going to be taking time to set up and develop our own form of architecture and a way to possibly implement modern architecture into a specific site that we get to choose,? she said.
Architecture was something that Tatarczuk has always been fascinated by ever since the house in Oxford she grew up in was remodeled.
‘I took a few classes in high school and loved it and wanted to pursue it, so I worked really hard and got into the architecture program at Michigan, which is not an easy program to get into,? she said.
She was one of the lucky few chosen to take part in this study abroad program. ‘You had to apply and do interviews and it was very selective,? said Tatarczuk.
In addition to the fundraiser at Bull Frog’s, Tatarczuk has also set up a couple of other fundraisers to help her cause.
There will be a garage sale at 73 Hovey St. on April 29-May 1. The proceeds from all three days will go towards her trip.
She will also be doing a bottle and can drive.
‘If people want to bring bottles and cans to Bullfrogs, they are more than welcome to, or they can leave contact information and we can come pick them up,? she added.
Those unable to attend any of the fund-raisers can still make a donation.
Checks can be mailed to Stacy Fields 3361 Harbours Blvd, Waterford, MI 48328.