CEDAR KEY ARTS CENTER CHILDREN’S BENEFIT DINNER

January 24, 2020

by Rebecca Gallagher

The Cedar Key Arts Center’s annual benefit dinner occurred Thursday, January 16, 2020, at the Cedar Key Community Center. The profits from the benefit support arts for kids in Cedar Key. The Arts Center provides art projects in four different areas. The first is the Children’s’ Summer Art Program. The Arts Center charges a nominal fee to attendees but wants everyone to know that scholarships are available to all. All anyone needs to do is ask about it; there is no paperwork. The Arts Center wants everyone to be aware that the scholarship option is there.

The second project is the Art in the Park. The Arts Center does this during both the Seafood Festival and the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts. Another project these funds support is the Shark Sewing Club. The efforts of the Sewing Club will be displayed in a fashion show on March 18. Last, but not least, the Arts Center helps the school with art supplies.

The Community Center was artfully decorated under the direction of Robin Gillies and Patty Jet. The completed art from last Children’s Summer’ Program was cleverly displayed with interesting paper frames. The paintings were co-operative paintings: each student started a painting, and then each student took turns painting a design on each print. The only rule was not to add by covering the designs by others. The table decorations were all made by members of the Arts Center.

Dinner was catered by Peter Stefani and staff of the Island Room Restaurant and included selections of flounder, duck, BBQ shrimp, braised collard greens, and other delicious items.

The silent auction included a portrait painted by the founder of the Arts Center, Cathy Christie.  A raffle contained such interesting items as a purse made from a license plate and candle lanterns. It’s easy to see why the raffle tickets were sold out.

Although a ton of work, the work was made lighter by having a committee of workers. Donna Bushnell chaired the committee. Members included Robin Gillies, Gini Barss, Nita Cox, Joyce DeHaan, Patty Jett, Cindy Leiner, Marie Lewis, Susan Rosenthal, Joan Selby, and Judy Treharne. The diners appreciated all the hard work put in by committee members. Be sure to put the next art opening, “In love with Cedar Key” on your calendar.

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