In a few weeks arts supporters will have a chance to celebrate and kick up their heels while helping the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council raise money.
The arts council will host its second annual “A Pairing of Wine and Art” benefit from 7 – 10 p.m. Nov. 5 at Lake Wilderness Lodge, which has become the nonprofit’s main fundraiser, explained Mary Jane Glaser, president of the art council’s board.
“Last year people had a wonderful time,” Glaser said. “So, we’re encouraged to do it again.”
This year there will be a silent auction, but, unlike other fundraisers this one has a unique twist.
“The silent auction is an unusual silent auction compared to most fundraisers people attend,” Glaser said. “Since we’re an arts organization, many of our (auction) items are original works of art. That’s exciting that artists have either been invited or many of them contact us and say, ‘May I contribute to your silent auction?’”
Something new this year, Glaser said, is the addition of artwork done specifically for the benefit.
“One of the exciting things we’re doing differently this year, and this is spearheaded by Christina Grachek, she contacted several artists and sent them 8-by-10 canvasses and asked them to create a piece of art specifically for our fundraiser,” Glaser said.
“It’s been energizing to see those pieces coming in the mail. There will be… a grid of artwork that will be displayed. Every piece of 8-by-10 artwork is available for sale. That is going to be exciting especially if there is a bidding war that breaks out.”
In addition, the table centerpieces will be for sale, and those are going to be hand painted wine glasses made by Margaret Van Duine.
Entertainment will be provided by Cascade Jazz and accompanied by Susanna Fuller, who is a Maple Valley resident, after a successful performance at the fundraiser last year.
Dave Hall of Maple Valley Shell returns to serve as the wine steward. Volunteers from the Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will be serving hors d’œuvres prepared by Chas Olsen, executive chef of Lake Wilderness Grill, with desserts provided by Tim Towner who owns TM Dessert Works in Seattle. Towner is Glaser’s brother and has operated his business on Phinney Ridge for more than 20 years.
“His pastries are not only delicious but beautiful as well,” Glaser said of her brother’s desserts.
“So, I’m very pleased we’ll have his pastries again this year.”
Glaser said collaboration is important.
“We try to do as many community partnerships in an event as possible,” she said. “We feel that it’s an event that really is a community event. When you go onto our website or when you look at our letterhead, our tag line is ‘Creating community through the arts.’ I feel that we do a good job of outreach to the community that way.”
And while this is a fundraiser, Glaser said, there will be one major change to ensure the right tone for the event.
“What we learned last year is that people want to have a lot of fun and didn’t want to listen to a lot of speeches,” she said. “So, we’re going to limit the time on the microphone and concentrate on having fun. The beauty of it is that many of the people (who came) signed up as table captains, so, they had their own table of friends and family so they enjoyed having a party within a party.”
That atmosphere of celebration will be something intentional this year, Glaser said.
Perhaps if people have as much fun as they did last year, the arts council will be able to raise more money, but Glaser said she hopes to at least match the $8,000 raised in 2009.
“We were thrilled,” she said. “It would be great if we could raise more money this year. Our main purpose was to get everyone together who supports the arts in one room and celebrate. ”
IF YOU GO
Tickets can be purchased online at www.maplevalleyarts.com, by calling 425-432-0810 and leaving a message or by mailing the $30 per person to arts council. Payment can be sent to:
Maple Valley Creative Arts Council
23220 Maple Valley Highway Southeast, Suite 15
Maple Valley, WA 98038
