Lunching for the arts

Published 2:47 pm Monday, January 24, 2011

By KATIE HURST/ Lifestyles Editor

COLUMBIANA – Fashion and art are once again on the menu for the fourth annual “Have a Heart for the Arts” luncheon in Columbiana.

The women of the Columbiana Culture, Novella and Vignette clubs have teamed up again to host the luncheon benefiting the Shelby County Arts Council. This year’s luncheon will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 5 at the First Baptist Church of Columbiana. Three hundred women are expected at the event.

Linda Cundiff, president of the Culture Club and this year’s luncheon chair, said the event will be similar to luncheons in the past with a few minor changes.

Nancy Drakos and her restaurant, the Fish Market, will cater the lunch this year, consisting of a salad, baguette and dessert, Cundiff said.

Secretary of State Beth Chapman will be the event’s emcee and the fashion show will be presented by Coldwater Creek.

“It’s great fun. You get to see Coldwater Creek’s spring fashion preview of what the colors and accessories and fashions are going to look like for the spring,” Cundiff said. “There will also be a children’s line modeled and the kids are always so cute.”

All the clothes will be shown by local models, Cundiff said. The fashion show will start on the stage, but the models will also step down and walk through the crowd so attendees can get a good look at the clothes.

Door prizes this year will be original art works by artists from the arts council, Cundiff said.

The Shelby County Arts Council’s new youth chorale will provide the entertainment for the luncheon, showcasing one of the many programs the luncheon funds, Cundiff said.

Last year the event raised $4,500 for the arts council and Cundiff said they hope to at least match that again this year.

Terri Sullivan, president of the Shelby County Arts Council, said the funding from the luncheon helps support the council’s many youth outreach programs. Some of these programs include hosting field trips for students to see the symphony, putting on art therapy classes in elementary schools and bringing authors to schools for special readings, Sullivan said.

Continuing these youth outreach programs is a goal of all three clubs, Cundiff said.

“We’re all general federation of women’s clubs,” she said. “One of the areas we’re encouraged to work in is the arts in the community. All three have it as a goal and we accomplish that by working together.”

Tickets for the luncheon are $25 and can be purchased online at Shelbycountyartscouncil.com, at Busy Hands in Columbiana or through any Culture, Novella or Vignette Club member.