Elizabeth Doney Havre Daily News edoney@havredailynews.com
Artists for Chair-ity will soon have art lovers on the edge of their seat. A people’s choice ballot welcomes the community to vote on the Artists for Chair-ity exhibit created by local artists who are donating their talents to help the Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center tonight. Voting begins at 6 p.m. with a reception at the Artitudes Gallery in the Atrium Mall. There will be free refreshments and an opportunity to view the many creatively decorated chairs designed in a variety of mediums. Monetary gifts will buy a ticket to vote on the top 15 chairs that will be sold in a live auction on Sept. 7. The remaining chairs will be sold in a silent auction with buyers putting in bids during the two auctions. The people’s choice reception will prelude a live art auction in the art gallery in September with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and catering by 15 West Bar and Eatery. Auctioneer Cory Holmes will begin the auctions at 8 p.m. Ticket sales for the auction and reception will be available at the Artitudes Gallery during the people’s choice reception tonight and through September. Weekend ticket tables will be set up at Gary & Leo’s IGA throughout the month for people to purchase. The auction in September will also feature the life and work of the late Jeanette Williams, who left behind a legacy of photography which will be on display at Artitudes and available for purchase. Williams was a member of the Artitudes Gallery. Titled, “Artists for Char-ity,” the local artists have hand painted close to 20 chairs with work yet to be completed on more. “We wanted to do something for the community and have an art show that would benefit Havre,” Kris Shaw of Artitudes Gallery said. “Someone suggested the Hi-Line Sletten Cancer Center and we all agreed that it’s a good cause. (The center) will be welcomed to the community.” Artists began painting chairs in April and the people’s choice voting period will be held from today through Sept. 1 at Artitudes Gallery. The following artists have donated their time and artwork to the Chair-ity event; Jan Mueller (Women with Pots), Kris Shaw (Hippie Chair), Mary Nault (Teddy Bear Bench), Margaret Hayes (Child’s Folding Chair), Linda Pollington (Stool with Quilt Pattern, Morning Glory Flowers and Covered Bridge), Linda Hayes (Child’s Folding Chair), Linda Pollington (Stool with Quilt Pattern, Morning Glory Flowers and Covered Bridge), Linda Warneke (Lady Bug School Desk), Beryl Arvin (Rose), Ginnie Streeper (Time Out, Fishing Pole, Orange Poppy), Cory Holmes (Rocking Spider), Becky Ross (Fishing Rods), Naomi Bowers (Balloons), Vicki Kutzler (Teddy Bears) Renee Jensen (Old Time Recipes) Sam and Caroline Hatty (Bird House Benches). Their artwork is available for viewing from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Artitudes Gallery on the main floor of the Atrium Mall. Several artists are completing the final touches on their chairs including Margaret Meggs, Kelli Williams, Nicole Brodeur, Brittnee and Jaden Korb, Lara Pollington, Margo Dollan, Frank and Mary Ann Miller, Charolette Holmes and Andrea Moore, which will mean that more than 30 chairs will be available to view, vote on and purchase through live auctions. People wishing to donate $35 to help the Artists for Chair-ity event will receive a “Potty Chair,” a small chair with a potted plant in the seat with art and beadwork decorating the tiny seats. For more information, call Artitudes Gallery at 265-2104 or stop by their location in the Atrium Mall to support the Hi- Line Sletten Cancer Center.
