The third-annual Have a Hearts for the Arts was recently held at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana to a full house. About 300 women came for a day of fellowship, fashion and fun to support the Shelby County Arts Council.

Have a Heart for the Arts began as an idea centered on friendship and community need. The goal was to unite the culture Novella and Vignette Clubs of Columbiana with a common cause, support of the SCAC.

The format chosen was a fundraiser; a fashion show luncheon with clubwomen and their children as models. Coldwater Creek and Strasbourg Children provided the fashions. Jon Falkner, son of honorary Vignette Janice Falkner, created the logo. Vignette Stephanie Dikis made the huge heart logo for the stage. Vignette Nancy Drakos and her restaurant, the Fish Market provided the delicious food. Kitchen help and decorators were club women, servers were the Wildcats from Columbiana Middle. Club co-chairs for the event were: Bonnie Atchison and Peggy Wood, Novella; Barbara Robinson and French, Vignette; and Betty Broome and Betty Holcombe, Culture.

In three years, the luncheon has raised over $12,000 for the arts council. This year more than $4500 was raised.

Atchison gave the opening remarks and introduced her talented son, Mike Mason, who sang and entertained. Quick introduced the emcee, Secretary of State Beth Chapman, who was funny and witty with her homespun tales. Terri Sullivan, founder of the SCAC spoke on the varied opportunities that the arts council has brought to Shelby County.

Shelby County Arts Council’s outreach is diverse. From classes in painting, photography, sculpture, guitar, voice and piano to summer theater camps for children; from senior citizen art opportunities to transporting 2,≠000 Shelby County students to experience the Alabama Symphony; from Arts Abilities classes for the learning challenged to art classes in the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center; the SCAC has expanded its programs to every corner of Shelby County.

Additional photos of the event are on Spotted at www.shelbyspotted.com.

Phoebe Robinson can be reached by e–mail at phoeberobinson@bellsouth.net.