Turning 50 is a milestone. For the Columbus Arts Council, it’s cause for celebration. A Golden Gala on Friday, March 20 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in downtown Columbus will mark the occasion.
“Fifty years is something to be very proud of,” said Gala Chair Pam Russell. She and the fundraising committee, along with board members and other volunteers, are busy acquiring items for silent and live auctions and finalizing the dozens of details required for the event.
As befits an arts council, visual and performance arts are high on the marquee. Live music by a Suzuki Strings ensemble in the early portion of the evening will transition to jazz renderings by Doug Thomas and The Directors trio later. Guests will enjoy table seating for a meal by caterer Angie Atkins.
Up for bid
Auctions include an eclectic variety of items including trips, an in-home cooking class with Anne Freeze, an entire spa day at Bella Derma and, of course, original work by area artists and craftsmen.
“Our auction items also include unique pieces from some of our arts council patrons who have traveled the world,” noted Russell. Examples include an antique, floral-patterned porcelain ewer and bowl, an exotic Jamaican carving, and vintage Mother of Pearl opera glasses.
Vacation getaways on the auction block include a week’s stay at the four-bedroom Johnston Cottage at Rosemary Beach, Florida, valued at more than $5,000. Accommodations at Watercolor Beach, Florida, and Smith Lake are also already confirmed for the live auction.
“How about an evening of food and drink with nine of your friends while you learn something new in the kitchen?” said Russell. Well-known culinary connoisseur Anne Freeze of Columbus will conduct a hands-on cooking class for up to 10 people in the bidder’s own kitchen.
Signed SEC footballs, fine rugs, jewelry, hand-painted furniture, decorative accents and gift certificates help round out the offerings. Separate raffles for a quilt made by the Possum Town Quilt Guild and several other items will also be open.
Continuing the mission
Staff and volunteers are keenly aware of and grateful for the half-century of commitment already invested in the Columbus Arts Council. A long line of people with vision and tireless effort kept the organization growing.
Board member Jerry Fortenberry remarked, “It’s so important to support the gala, so we can continue to have an arts council, providing more access, especially for young people who can go to art camps and to children’s performances and so many other things that help them appreciate the arts.”
“The arts center is a cornerstone of downtown Columbus,” said gala committee member Cathy Coleman, who is creating jewelry and hand-painted furniture for the auctions. As state Main Street officials have noted before, few cities the size of Columbus have a large arts center helping anchor the downtown. Such an active, visible cultural element carries weight when potential industries evaluate locations.
“This community’s support has been critical to the long life of this arts council,” said CAC Executive Director Tina Sweeten-Lunsford. “We ask for and look forward to that continuing as we begin the next 50 years.”
How to go
Golden Gala tickets are $50, available through Friday, March 13 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets can also be ordered at columbus-arts.org, or by calling 662-328-2787 Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The gala begins at 6 p.m. with the silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m., with a live auction at 8 p.m.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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