April 16, 2003
Artists contribute to Montessori Chair-ity Auction
Decorative chairs to be sold at annual school spring fund-raiser
By
Herald staff writer
They've been painted, shellacked, beaded, covered with needlepoint and even molded with clay - in some cases you might not even realize a chair lies beneath.
Fifteen works of art, painted and decorated by artists from northern Michigan, are part of the third annual Artists Chair-ity Auction and Community Art Exhibit, sponsored by the Montessori Children's House and Elementary School.
The chairs, each with a unique style, will be on display beginning today through Wednesday, April 30 in store windows along Front Street in Traverse City. These locations include Backcountry Outfitters, Banana Tree, Cali's Cottons, Cherry Hill Clothiers, The Cherry Stop, Dandelion Clothing, DeYoung's, Fetish, Golden Shoes, Horizon Books, Osiris Bead and Imports, Raven's Child and Toy Harbor.
"This event has become very popular, not only among the families at our school, but also with shoppers and store owners downtown," said Valerie Kirn-Duensing, Chair-ity Auction coordinator.
"People love to come downtown to shop and stroll and look at these amazing chairs," Kirn-Duensing noted.
Kirn-Duensing, who approaches local artists with a request to contribute, has been amazed by the response she has received.
"One woman called me, she said she had the event written on her calendar and was excited about getting started," Kirn-Duensing said.
Artists involved in the endeavor include Jeffrey Askew, Charlotte Berkey, Marcia Borell, Peggy Borsay, Pam Braim, Betty Brock-Hay, Lori Holmes, Michelle Jahraus, Holly Lampen, Lauria Majchrzak, Ashley Mucherino, Julie Pearson, Yvonne Roehler, Melanie Schmid, Lisa Schulte, Rhonda Whaley and Barbara Young.
After being on display for two weeks, the chairs will be auctioned off at the school's 11th annual spring fund-raiser, set for Saturday, May 3 at the new Montessori school located at 5363 N. Long Lake Road. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork will benefit the school's scholarship fund and support program enrichment including the art curriculum.
"This is really the best type of fund-raising there is," Kirn-Duensing said. "The community reaps the benefit of having an outstanding free art exhibit and children benefit from the sale of the artwork."
For more information on the Artists Chair-ity Auction or bidding on a chair, call Valerie Kirn-Duensing at 929-0778.