The Queen of Arts Monte Carlo for the Arts event was an exhilarating evening in that so many people attended to support The Southern Heartland Arts Inc. and its efforts in "supporting the visual arts and continuing their Community outreach programs and partnerships with other organizations." United Bank and Air Conditioning Specialists, Inc. were major contributors to this event along with several other "supporters and lovers of the arts."
Susan Adams and Susan Wahl spent hours planning this successful evening of dinner provided by Stalvey's Restaurant, games of chance, raffles of fabulous baskets and buckets filled with sports items to home décor, the silent auction and of course a live auction. Several other artists helped with the planning, setting up and dismantling: Kris Bliss, Beth Bryant, Greg Deemer, Pat Free, Elise Hammond (Gallery Director), Wendy Harrington, B. J. Hood, Jackie Kelly, Ron Manson, Cindy Murphy, Bob Overstreet, Linda Phflug, Margaret Warfield Allen, Ann Wildmon, and Laura Zierl. Supportive spouses also helped: Buddy Adams, Roger Phglug, Bill Wahl and Ed Zierl. Also, Cathy Dobbs helped with the set-up. Please forgive me if I have not mentioned anyone who helped as all of you did a fantastic job together.
As the guests arrived, they were greeted by Heartland Artists and other volunteers with a bag of the event's raffle tickets, libation tickets, play money, some advertising and last but not least a sign with your personal bidding number on it. The room was decorated with hanging lights, Queen of Arts memorabilia, playing cards, and it buzzed with laughter, conversations about what people were bidding in the Silent Auction and what they were going to bid on during the Live Auction. The anticipation was palpable.
The Silent Auction was in full swing from the beginning of the evening until around 9:30 pm. The Southern Heartland Artists offered the Silent Auction to share the multiple and varied talents of all of the artists who work as a team with the gallery. Auction offerings included Kris Bliss's painted furniture, Elise Hammond's expert paintings, Susan Wahl's UGA bench, Susan Adams' paintings, Laura Zierl's jewelry.
The live auction was conducted by Buddy Adams, Cindy Murphy and Ann Wildmon. Buddy acted as an MC while the ladies held up items that were to be bid on. Jack Corcoran (The Pit Boss) of Funtastic Events (aka The Troupe Funtastica) was warbled out the bidding as rapid bullets. The UGA decorated bench brought in a wonderful amount. The Brown's Beach House (donated by Janet and Richard Brown) was certainly a highlight as it has been in the past for the gallery. The "Up to one full week on a peaceful and secluded beach near Carabelle, Fla.," was the hope of several bidders. The winner greatly helped the coffers. The another highlight was the surprise that was kept in the men's restroom. Revealed when it came up at the live auction, Perfect Lingerie donated a lovely and revealing negligee that was demurely displayed on a mannequin. (Naturally a Valentine creation) Woo-woo! You had to be there to enjoy it. Can you guess who won the bid?
Everyone who graced the Porterdale Mill event center that evening enjoyed getting out and supporting a most worthy cause. The artists of Southern Heartland Arts Inc. (fundraiser statement), "support the visual arts and the proceeds from this fundraiser provide for expenses associated with their instructional classrooms, art camp, ongoing art instruction, workshops and weekly community paint party which provides a totally free venue for Newton County residents to come and paint with an artist mentor. They also provide for their annual art show and exhibit, which brings talented artists to our community from throughout the state of Georgia. They provide scholarships for three graduating seniors."
If you are planning on hosting an event that would be interesting to have in the Covington News please contact me at (770) 786-2470. I would love to see how you host and share your event with with the subscribers/readers.
