Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Watauga Arts Council to Present Artfull Palette January 19
25-Year Celebration Culminates with Sense-ational Wrap-Up
Story by Jenna Crawley
The planning for Watauga Arts Council’s yearlong 25th anniversary celebration wrap-up is well underway and could be the most tactile experience of the year. An Artful Palette, designed to stimulate all of the senses, will take place at the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock on Friday, January 19, from 6:30 until 9:00 p.m. Featuring musicians, artwork and caterers from in and around the community, the event offers an eclectic lineup and wide variety of local flair.
The Artful Palette will be a three-part event, beginning in the lobby with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music and a silent auction, followed by theater performances and raffle, and capped off with a cake created by renowned Blowing Rock baker, Jo Ann Hallmark.
Tina Houston, former owner of The Jailhouse Restaurantand of Pond Hill Catering, will provide the hors d’oeuvres, and members of the Gamma Beta Phi Fraternity will serve. The menu includes warm brie stuffed with apricots and pecans with toasted baguettes, pork-wrapped skewered figs in a rich balsamic glaze, roasted root vegetables skewered with warm rosemary and olive drizzle, handmade mini-tortillas, fire roasted red peppers and garlic yogurt cheese, grilled chicken and roasted chilies, chicken satay, spicy peanut and chive dip, organic dates stuffed with rosemary chevre, warm apple and ginger cider, tiramisu cake and fresh-roasted coffee. A cash bar will also be available featuring fine wine and beer.
Mary Greene on the hammer dulcimer and Rick Stone on the mandolin, guitar and mountain dulcimer will provide lobby entertainment. Both Greene and Stone are members of the Laurel Creek String Band and will play Appalachian, Celtic and classical selections.
In addition to music and food, guests will have the chance to participate in a silent auction preceding the main performances. Featured items include a Hugh Morton photo featuring blue and rose tones and a mountain view, a glass vase created by area glass artist Glenn Randall, a $300 gift certificate from Dale Marie portrait studio, floral arrangements by Carolyn Clement and one 16 by 20 framing with one or two mats from Appalachian Gallery and Frame Shop. Bidding starts at $200 for the Hugh Morton photo and $100 for the Appalachian Gallery Frame. Other minimum bids will be announced.
Following the silent auction and hors d’oeuvres, several performances will take place in the theatre. Internationally known Douglas James will play the classical guitar, professional Alex Smith will perform a modern dance, the Watauga High School Drama Department will present a scene from the Cotton Patch Gospel, and local youth and award-winning Meade Righter will play the fiddle. Joe Miller of Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff will act as master of ceremonies for the event.
Also included in the evening’s events will be a fine arts raffle for Pink Paddock, a pastel by Raymond Chorneau; Balancing My Left and Right Side, a black and white sketch by Robin Martindale; a large blue vase by area potter Eric Reichard; and a classical bust by award-winning sculptor Alex Hallmark.
After the holidays, the Artful Palette provides the perfect midwinter reason to wake up the mind, open the ears, fuel the taste buds and experience the heart of community.
According to Watauga Arts Council Executive Director Cherry Johnson, the Artful Palette was a regular midwinter event held in the ‘80s and ‘90s designed to celebrate local food, art and music while breaking up the monotony of winter weather. Johnson said the Arts Council decided to pull the event out of the archives, update it and use it as the culmination of the past year’s celebration of 25 years of service to the community.
The event promises to fuel the individual artist—whether baker, photographer, dancer, musician or something in between—in all of us.
Tickets are $40 for an individual and $75 for a couple. Included in the price is the entire evening of entertainment as well as the food. Purchase tickets by calling the Watauga Arts Council at 828-264-1789 or the Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center at 828-295-9627.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday, January 19
Time: 6:30 until 9:00 p.m.
Location: Mariam and Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center, Blowing Rock
Cost: $40 per person/$75 per couple