Art aficionados will gather next Saturday for An Evening of Art in Amherst

$Members of the Autumn House fundraising committee display a small fraction of the works of art that will be auctioned off and drawn for during An Evening of Art next Saturday night at ARHS. Members of the fundraising committee include: (from left) Heather Patterson, board member and volunteer fundraiser; Holly Chapman, volunteer fundraiser; Dawn Ferris, Autumn House executive director; and Wanda Smith, chair of fundraising. The ‘Wood Spirit’ carving is by Faron Young, the lighthouse, in memory of Sheila Allan, is by quilter Lois Poitras of Springhill, and the painting is by Bruce Hebert.$

Members of the Autumn House fundraising committee display a small fraction of the works of art that will be auctioned off and drawn for during An Evening of Art next Saturday night at ARHS. Members of the fundraising committee include: (from left) Heather Patterson, board member and volunteer fundraiser; Holly Chapman, volunteer fundraiser; Dawn Ferris, Autumn House executive director; and Wanda Smith, chair of fundraising. The ‘Wood Spirit’ carving is by Faron Young, the lighthouse, in memory of Sheila Allan, is by quilter Lois Poitras of Springhill, and the painting is by Bruce Hebert. - Dave Mathieson

AMHERST – Discerning eyes for art will gather for An Evening of Art in support of Autumn House next Saturday at Amherst Regional High School.

Up to 100 works in a wide array of mediums will be auctioned off and drawn for.

“We’re always worried we’re not going to have enough art but the community always pulls through,” said Wanda Smith, chair of fundraising for Autumn House. “They are so generous with their creations.”

An Evening of Art has been running in Amherst for about 25 years now, and new to this year’s gala is Dawn Ferris, who joined Autumn House as the executive director on Dec. 4.

“The fundraising committee machine that is in place is fabulous,” said Ferris. “They really know what needs to be done and I’m happy to show up and help where I can.”

Last year’s An Evening of Art raised $22,000.

Many volunteers help make the evening a success, including local firefighters and students at ARHS.

“Scotiabank is partnering with us,” said Smith.

She also thanks Acadian Printing for printing the program for An Evening of Art.

“We sell ads in the program and that pays for everything that the auction costs,” said Smith.

Cost of attending An Evening of Art is $30. One ticket automatically puts you in the running for draws for artwork, and also provides hot and cold appetizers, along with wine, beer, tea, coffee and punch.

Doors open at ARHS Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and the auction begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at [email protected]

[email protected]

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