Arts council presents fundraiser

The Sanders County Arts Council will be hosting a fundraiser in an effort to get money for Paradise Center art equipment.

The event, called “Do Your Bidding Over a Baked Potato Dinner,” will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. in the old school’s former gymnasium. The event will include a dinner and live and silent auctions, said coordinator Cinda Gazaway, one of the numerous artists who have donated their artwork to the fundraiser.

Karen Thorson, president of the Sanders County Arts Council, said the nonprofit organization has access to the Paradise Center, but it doesn’t have all the needed equipment for artists to use for their own work and for classes the arts council has been conducting. Presently, they have a dozen floor easels, tables and chairs, but Thorson said they would like to obtain equipment for other art mediums. Gazaway said they hope to raise enough money to purchase a kiln for artists in the area to fire their work and for the teaching of future pottery or sculpture classes. The arts council conducted several art classes this year at the Paradise Center. The classes were put on by experienced artists from throughout Sanders County.

There are more than 50 pieces of art in the silent auction, including photographs, paintings, prints, ceramics, pottery, and western pencil drawings by the late Duke Nielsen. Artists from Noxon to Plains donated art for the benefit. Items range from about 5X7 to a 24X30 print by Plains artist Rick Harter to a custom painted chair by Ellen Childress, also of Plains. An online catalogue at sanderscountyarts.org has been set up to show some of the artwork that people will able to bid on during the silent bidding.

They also have more than 30 items for the live auction, all donated by local businesses and individuals. Dinner is $8 a person and will include a baked potato with toppings, drinks and dessert. In addition, pianist Rudi Boukal of Thompson Falls will provide live music during the event.

The Paradise Center is operated by the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee, which is separate from the Sanders County Arts Council, but Thorson said they share some common goals with regards to fostering art in the county.

Paradise Elementary School closed its doors four years ago due to a lack of student population. The county owns the building and property, but leases it to the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee, which has converted the school into a combination community, visitor and arts center. The preservation committee continues to work on the main building and the gymnasium, which is now the multipurpose room, and has been utilized for several plays and numerous musical events since it took over the property.

“The Arts Council’s focus is all forms of the arts, (performing, visual, and literary) with an emphasis on both providing county residents with classes to develop their creativity as well as bringing professional artists into the community to provide both education and enjoyment of the arts,” said Thorson.

The Arts Council is planning another series of visual arts classes in early 2018. The group is also sponsoring three performances of Tapestry. One will be at the Paradise Center. The other two will be at the Rex Theater in Thompson Falls.

The Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee has recently submitted several grant requests that support the arts, she said, including professional lighting for performances and audience risers designed to fit the space in the multipurpose room.