‘A fun place to be on a Saturday night’: Agency prepares for annual art gala

Published 11:15 am Monday, August 6, 2018

DALTON, Ga. — As guests listen to live music from harpist Beth Blackburn of Dalton, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and mini desserts while viewing a variety of art, Ronald Bayens, a live painting artist, will capture the moments in real time during Cross Plains Community Partner’s second annual Art Gala.

The painting by Bayens, from Auburn, Alabama, and 20 other pieces will be available to purchase during the event on Saturday, Aug. 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Mill at Crown Garden, 825 Chattanooga Ave. in Dalton. Doors open at 6; the dress code is cocktail attire.

Tickets are $60 per person or $100 for a couple and can be purchased by calling (706) 278-8143 or online at www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-art-gala-auct ion-benefiting-cross-plains- community-partner-tickets -48072560322. They include beer and wine.

“I think having a live artist is a great addition,” Deborah Conway, executive director of Cross Plains, said. “The objective is he will help us raise money and make the auction entertaining.”

Cross Plains is “a private, nonprofit agency that supports and serves men and women with developmental disabilities and their families in northwest Georgia,” according to its website. Programs include day services, helping with skills for daily living, assisting with access to the community and supported employment.

“This event will give our community a chance to experience the lives we touch, while enjoying a variety of creative work from local artists,” the agency’s Facebook page states. “We will have a collection of high quality and diverse pieces of art available for bid and purchase as well as a special collaborative piece from our own artists.”

Dalton High School art teacher Trevor Ledford will have paintings available to bid on.

“Those individuals will also be present at the gala,” Conway said. “I think it’s cool they will be there to see their work auctioned off.” 

Conway said money raised from the gala will support services the organization provides.

Allison Whittle, Cross Plains’ supported employment manager, said guests will be able to participate in open bids and auctions. 

“We’ll have live bids on pieces throughout the evening and the rest will be silent auctions on bid sheets,” she said. 

Whittle said local artist Chris Beck, who has a personal story relating to disability, will speak about art and its “limitless abilities.” Some of his art will also be available to bid on.

Whittle said at last year’s show they sold around 15 to 20 pieces out of about 30. 

“We wanted to lower the number of pieces available this year so bidding is a little more competitive with people going after the same piece,” she said.

Conway said last year’s event was to celebrate the organization’s 60th anniversary.

“The idea originally was to bring the community together and celebrate,” she said. “We decided if we’re going to do an invite, why don’t we do it as a fundraiser to see how it goes.”

“We got a really great response from the community, it was a really good turnout,” she said.

Whittle said the gala will be a social event.  

“We want to educate people about Cross Plains but we really want it to be a light, fun and socially engaging event,” she said.

Conway said they want everyone to have a good time. 

“I want people to leave saying it was a fundraiser, but a fun place to be on a Saturday night,” she said.