As a tribute to the history and legacy of her alma mater corps, former Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps member Suzy Grifa is set to auction off an original painting to benefit Drum Corps International’s scholarship funds.
The auction will be hosted on eBay beginning on Thursday, February 13, at 8 p.m. ET, and it will run until Sunday, February 23, 8 p.m. ET.
The painting — whose title, "Shall Always Be,” is a nod to the founding DCI member corps’ iconic slogan — is an acrylic and oil pastel work on canvas, framed in gold. The 30” x 40” x 1.5” painting comes equipped with wall-hanging hardware, ready for display.
Grifa, who marched with the Cadets’ color guard in 2002, drew inspiration from a photograph she captured during the corps’ 2007 season while volunteering alongside her husband, Chris, who was on the corps’ brass staff. The artwork features members of The Cadets walking toward the stadium in pairs, illuminated by the stadium lights in an almost ethereal glow.
“It was the perfect picture that captures the spirit of drum corps — the timeless essence of discipline, artistry and passion,” Grifa said. “For those who have ever felt the rush of stepping into the lights of a performance, this painting is more than art — it’s a reflection of your journey.”
Spending more than two years creating this piece, Grifa always intended for it to serve as a fundraising item to support future marching members. In keeping with that mission, 90 percent of the proceeds from the auction will be donated to the DCI Legacy Fund, which ensures that young performers have access to the opportunities that define the drum corps experience.
Grifa’s aim is that the work of art will appeal not only to those with feelings of nostalgia and love for former Cadets, but also to anyone with a history in the marching arts.
“Let it serve as a tribute to the corps, the music, and the lifelong friendships that make drum corps a way of life," she said.