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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – The Federated Ladies Clubs of Columbiana joined together to present more than $36,000 to the Shelby County Arts Council to support its continued pursuit of promoting the arts in Shelby County.

Representatives of the Columbiana Culture Club, Columbiana Vignette Club and Novella Club of Columbiana hand-delivered a check in the amount of $36,091.29 to Bruce Andrews at a Shelby County Arts Council board meeting on Wednesday, May 21. The funds were raised during the inaugural Mardi Gras Gala which took place on March 1 and served as the first major fundraiser of the year for the SCAC.

“It was a very successful event and we’re really proud of it and we’re proud of the ladies that were in charge of it,” said Pam Wood, an executive board member for the SCAC. “It was a fun night and I think people are going to be looking forward to it next year and I think we’re going to grow it.”

Despite being the first installment of the event, the gala was packed— having completely sold out with all 295 tickets accounted for and 38 tables filled.

“It went better than we could have imagined,” said Liz Grandy, Mardi Gras Gala coordinator. “It was fantastic… We had people asking how they could reserve next year’s tables even before they sat down to eat dinner.”

The gala offered a reception with beverages, hors d’oeuvres alongside a silent auction, live auction and a dinner catered by The Fish Market in Hoover.

The Mardi Gras Gala was one of 33 events that were nominated for the Shelby County Chamber’s Tourism and Recreation All-Star winners.

“We couldn’t have done it without Bruce 100 percent behind us,” said Molly Bee Bloetscher, an executive board member for SCAC. “It really does take a team and I can’t express enough that we are very fortunate to work with… the three ladies groups… You guys have become our friends. When you throw an event like this and you’ve got that kind of group together, it’s very easy to do because you’re working with people you love.”

On behalf of the Shelby County Arts Council, Andrew expressed his appreciation for the donation which will assist the organization in accomplishing its core mission. Andrews also said he appreciates the donation being open—allowing the arts council to fully utilize the funds toward supplies, utilities or any number of operational necessities.

“The Federated Ladies Clubs have been historically great contributors to the arts council,” Andrews said. “They’ve always been gracious to us (and are) always looking for an opportunity to create something to give to us.”

Andrews reflected on the creation of the first Mardi Gras Gala event and commended it’s success.

“It was so good last year that not only was it a great blessing to us as a community-building, fun event and a fundraiser but it’s also so good that it’s scalable, so it’ll be even bigger next year,” Andrews said.