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| On The Road With Vincent |
What would you do with four hundred wine glasses? Paint them, of course!
I
live in Central Pennsylvania. The Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg and the
Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership are holding two fundraisers in April
and May. The decorated wine glasses are a feature of the events.
I'm
used to the head scratching feeling of "what will I do next" when
confronted by a blank piece of paper or a computer screen. But a wine
glass???
Visions of a "Mad Men" late night soiree got me
thinking. I could imagine the drinks swirling around the glass with wild
abandon! And that lead me to a book I am reading: "Johanna- A Novel of
the van Gogh Family" by Claire Cooperstein. The novel is a "factional"
account of Johanna's life after the death of Theo, Vincent's brother. I
enjoy both...so why not combine the two?
Anyone interested in
the event met at the Art Center. Enthusiastic painters filled tables
that were set up with boxes of cleaned glasses and a plethora of paint
and brushes. Although it was cold and dreary outside, the atmosphere was
one of convivial collaboration. Colour was everywhere with each person
decorating their glass in their unique style. The finished glasses
quickly filled a table ready for the last phase of the process: baking.
Standing before them reminded me of seeing light shining through rose
windows at the Notre Dame in Paris. The glasses were just as vibrant and
true to their makers.
The photos show my
efforts. Inspired by Vincent van Gogh's use of colour I swirled my way
through a set of six glasses. I want to thank Cindi and Mary Beth for
providing the photos.
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| "Sunflowers" |
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| "Starry Night" |
Three hundred glasses
are scheduled to go on sale at the Earth Day Festival in Mechanicsburg
on April 18th. Your purchased glass allows wine sampling at over
twenty-five selected business in the downtown Mechanicsburg area on May
9th's Art & Wine Walk. All of the money raised goes back into
community events.
One hundred glasses are
for sale on May 2nd for the Art Center's Spring Fundraiser
Gala at the Hershey Vineyards. And you thought Hershey only produced
chocolate! The money raised helps to fund the Art Center's vibrant diverse activities.
For detailed information, visit their websites at:
The Art Center School and Galleries of Mechanicsburg and
Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership.
I think anyone drinking from the beautiful glasses will not only share
in a great fundraiser, but will also be filled with the spirit of the
artist who lovingly painted it.
