If you didn’t attend this year’s Monte Carlo for the Arts, the annual fundraiser held by Southern Heartland Arts Inc., you missed a good time. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
New this year was a reverse raffle called Last Jack Standing. One hundred tickets were to be sold and the last number drawn would be the winner. Buddy Adams, a jovial master of ceremonies, presided over this event. He corralled and cajoled attendees to purchase the three or four tickets which had not been sold. And he was successful. He then called out the numbers as participants were eliminated.
When only four people were left in the drawing, he invited them to the front and asked if they wanted to share the prize or still have another number drawn, teasing them with the amount of money it would be if they divided the prize. The final three agreed to split the money. At least 20 other ticket holders received prizes during the drawing.
More than 50 baskets were awarded as door prizes. They were filled with food, art work, college memorabilia, grilling paraphernalia and all sorts of desirable goodies including a Scottie Cameron Titleist Putter. The silent auction offered more than 150 items including handmade jewelry and one-of-a-kind paintings, even a chance to have a portrait of yourself or a loved one painted. My favorite was a beautiful beach scene with shades of dark blue and yellow predominant. The live auction featured a Champagne Brunch hosted by Covington’s own Irene Smith and a week’s vacation in a three-bedroom Florida beach-front home, generously donated by friends of the visual arts.
Guests also got to enjoy themselves at 25 gaming tables which were this year in an adjacent room. There was something for everyone. Gambling, food, art and prizes. What more could you ask for?
The event was moved to a new facility at Georgia Perimeter Technical College as it had outgrown its old one, and the move was a good one. “Monte Carlo 2013 was the most successful event supporting the visual arts SHA, Inc. has ever held,” said Susan Wahl, event co-chairman.
“Dawn Wolff, event coordinator for GPTC, was a thorough and helpful partner, providing tables and chairs, sound system and projectors, and all the necessities we have had to procure ourselves for past events,” Wahl said.
Major sponsors of the event were Air Conditioning Specialist Inc. and United Bank.
SHA Inc. is a nonprofit organization supporting the visual arts in Newton County. For more information about the art guild, classes, shows and exhibits, art and gift gallery, and community outreach programs, visit southernheartlandart.com or Southern Heartland Arts on Facebook.
