Black and White Gala Returns to Studio 1219 With Art for All Patrons and MORE!
Posted February 11, 2010
After a year “off,” volunteers at Studio 1219 are excited to bring back the premiere event of the season: Studio 1219’s Annual Black and White Gala—this year with the theme of “An Evening in Paris.” Tickets for the fundraiser are moving quickly – due in part to the excellent silent and live auction offerings at the Gala, but also because this year every patron will take home an original work of art produced by the Studio’s artists. As part of the ticket price, patrons will have the opportunity to pick from a large assortment of limited artwork – painting, jewelry, pottery and more – from the Studio’s Artists’ Network. Tickets for the 7pm Saturday, February 27 event at the Studio are $35.00; order online at http://www.studio1219.com/gala or stop by the Studio!
Co-chaired by John and Carol Henry of Ft. Gratiot, the Black and White Gala features music, wine and fancy French hor d’ouevres, art by the foot being created that evening by the Studio’s artists, a Paris street scene for patrons to have their pictures taken by photographer Ron Grogan of St. Clair, a street mime, and more!
Committee volunteers Christine McWilliams of Mt. Clemens, Deb Bassett-Maxwell of Kimball, D’Lynn Pollock of Ft. Gratiot, and Maureen Scallen of St. Clair have been working diligently to round up some very exciting silent and live auction items including: a “Touch a Freighter” cruise donated by Kramer Realty, where the winners actually get to touch a freighter in the river during a cruise. There is also a study by local sculptress Mino Duffy and a pontoon party-boat ride hosted by a group of fun-loving college professors.
Perhaps one of the most exciting live auction items is a “comprehensive” of the Conrad (Camero) sports car. “Back before computers – remember those days?” queried Studio artist John Henry, “magazine illustrations for the automakers were hand drawn by artists in layouts called “comprehensives.” We have an original, one-of-a-kind, comprehensive of the ‘Conrad.’” “Now, the really cool thing about that,” Executive Director Lee-Perry Belleau chimed in, “is that the ‘Conrad’ was the original working name for the Camero. So, not only is this comprehensive a wonderful piece of art, it’s also an amazing piece of history.”
Silent auction items include a weekend at the Adventure Inn Bed and Breakfast, a nine-week class in pottery at the Studio, lunch with a celebrity, a wine package from the Vintage Tavern, being spoiled at Spa 223, a champagne evening of fireworks on the Studio’s balcony, Ice Hawks tickets and merchandise, a family pass to the YMCA, and much, much more.
Available in the rest of the Studio during the Gala is “The Best of the Best:” a self-juried show featuring all of the members of the Studio’s Artists’ Network. Each artist in the Network is showcasing their one, best-piece. The “Best of the Best” includes paintings, ceramics and pottery, mixed-media, jewelry and more. In the St. Clair County Community College’s Spiral Gallery at the Studio, artist Karen Peterson continues with exciting new elements brought together with illustrations, costumes, photography, jewelry, and toys. And, of course, the Acheson and Desmond Galleries are teaming with unique and affordable works of art from the Studio’s Artist’s Network.
