Fri 09|03|10

Belle Bazaar Gala supports the Fort Smith Art Center

Submitted by The City Wire staff on Sun, 05/23/2010 - 1:38pm.

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
rdean@thecitywire.com

More than 110 art supporters gathered Saturday (May 22) to have a few laughs and help raise money for the Fort Smith Art Center.

The Belle Bazaar Gala is one of Fort Smith's longest running, well-established annual charity events. Art Center officials said they hoped the gala, held at Golden Living corporate headquarters in Fort Smith, would raise up to $20,000.

Guests enjoyed a buffet style dinner which included petite Caesar in a crouton basket, spring Waldorf salad, french rolls, potatoes Napoleon, bacon-wrapped asparagus, chicken Marsala and carved beef tenderloin with Bearnaise — all prepared by Chef Mickey Sellard. Guests were also treated to an open bar and hors d'oeuvres.

Musical entertainment was provided by J.D. Chitwood, a self-taught musician from Van Buren. A slide show was presented by Philip Merry Jr., that displayed the new location for the Fort Smith Regional Art Center at 1601 Rogers Ave.

The new center will open sometime next year. The building was donation from Arvest Bank. More than 2,000-square-feet of the more than 15,000-square-foot building will house the permanent collection. Additional storage space will be available for endowed work, and a gift shop and meeting places.

Art Center officials recently announced they would change their name to the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum in early 2011. They also announced they were more than $1.1 million toward a $2.2 million fundraising goal.

The gala’s live auction began at 7:30 p.m. and included works of original art, trips and high-end items. Auction items were sold from $100 to as high as $2,600. All proceeds from the auction were 100% profit for the art center.

To end the evening, the guests were entertained by comedians Doug Shadell and Paul Hickman Jr.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

People are really going to enjoy the art!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/27/2010 - 1:44pm.

The Bazaar (Dinner & Auction) was very enjoyable and for a good cause. It was a success as ticket sales made over $6,000 alone. Although the event was designed to raise money for current operations, the exciting thing happening is the transition to a new Art Museum building at 1601 Rogers Avenue. Many know , thanks in no small part to the City Wire, about the renovation effort for the new location. They know it will be a nice venue, look and “feel” great. What they may not realize is that they are going to really enjoy the art it self! Because the Fort Smith Art Museum (RAM) will meet certain museum standards, (climate control, security etc), traveling exhibits can now come to our community. We will be able to select exhibits of nationally and internationally known artist.

For example, one of the possible exhibits available is a Salvador Dali exhibit where he has illustrated Dante’s famous, or infamous, Inferno. (literature & art together)There is also a photographic exhibit of AP photos from WWII available. These are just examples. People are going to enjoy these shows and the RAM will generate excitement each time a traveling exhibit opens. So far the community support for the project has been great. Anyone who wants on the band wagon is encouraged to make a pledge. Call (479) 784.9071 or email the Center at info [at] fortsmithartcenter [dot] org Donations are tax deductible. Bill Kropp , Board of Trustee’s Member.