Tickets on sale for annual black-tie event in support of arts

The AIRdirondack Art Project Gala and Auction promises to be the event of the season.

On Sept. 22 Airdrie residents are invited to McArthur Fine Furniture to bid on custom-made adirondack chairs, listen to the smooth tunes of the Deanne Matley Jazz Septet, sip specialty wines and craft beer, eat gourmet food and even go home with a great silent auction item.

“The gala is one of those rare opportunities to get all jazzed up and go out in your best attire to a formal and fun night,” said Linda Bruce, chair of Creative Airdrie, the group that organizes the gala.

“It is an opportunity for local artists to showcase their work on a basic wooden chair.

“It is amazing what they are able to do.”

The money raised at the event will go towards the Creative Airdrie Society, a local arts and culture initiative.

The black-tie event will showcase 12 chairs boasting original works of art designed for a porch or empty corner in your home.

“I have two of the chairs outside my house and they are a focal point,” said Bruce.

“People notice them before they notice anything else in my front yard.”

Jacquie Carstensen, along with her husband, Peter, attended the event last year and she said it was “amazing.”

“It was very well organized and a great networking and social opportunity,” she said. “It brings awareness to the arts and the venue is incredible. You don’t often get a chance to go to a black-tie event in Airdrie.”

She said although most people think of a black-tie event as a bit stuffy, it is a ton of fun.

“We were up there dancing, we had a blast,” said Carstensen.

Local artist Tracy-Lee Shannon has attended the event for the past three years and said she was excited to paint a chair for this year’s event.

“I knew I wanted to be a part of it since I attended the first year,” said Shannon.

“I like the interaction between the artists and the public. There is often a stigma with people who think they don’t understand art, this is a nice balance between art and function.”

She works in both painting and sculpture and she said that helps when painting on a three-dimensional surface such as the chair.

“It was a challenge but very rewarding,” she said of the process.

Shannon said her chair features a mythical mermaid sitting on rocks under the moon and wishing she were human.

To check out the chairs that are featured at local businesses and community facilities, visit www.creativeairdrie.ca

To buy tickets to the event, visit airdirondackgala2012.eventbrite.com