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Scene & Heard - A Community: 200 gather to celebrate Associated Artists
Ed Brown Photo
Vicki Schober (left) and Ramelle Pulitzer the president of AAWS.
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Published: June 3, 2008
The last thing I did Friday night before I headed out of town was to stop by the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem's 10th anniversary "Spring for Art" fundraiser. I can't think of a better way to start a trip than by surrounding myself with beautiful art.
About 200 people attended
the art-filled gala to enjoy music by the Matt Kendrick Trio, a silent auction of fine wines and the artwork by members of AAWS.
"We have hit milestone after milestone this year," said Sharon Nelson, the executive director. She talked about the growth in partnerships with other organizations and in membership of both artists and patron members. She said that the sale of art has doubled since the gallery moved to its new location at 301 W. Fourth St., in downtown Winston-Salem. "It's been a phenomenal year. The organization is in better shape than it's ever been and that says a lot about downtown."
Ray McKinney, who with his wife, Cathleen, was a host patron for the gala, said that the location at Cherry and Fourth streets is appropriate. "Being in the center of town makes a statement that this is the ‘City of the Arts.'"
Ramelle Pulitzer, the president of AAWS, remembered sitting with a group of people at her dining-room table and coming up with the idea to hold the first fundraiser with her husband, Michael, at their home 10 years ago. She said that since then the group has had "every kind of party you can imagine." Looking around the room at the crowd Friday night, she said, "It has grown so well. It has a life of its own. It's exciting to see so many supporters, and Sharon Nelson, the whole staff and the board have all done a marvelous job. This has been a real grass-roots effort by a whole community of people."
The springtime theme of the fundraiser was evident everywhere, from the Tulips photograph by Ralph Henzler on the invitation to the flowers decorating the gallery and atrium. Lilac and yellow tissue flowers nestled in the bottom of huge pots of palms in the atrium, where tables were covered with food donated by the Cotton Mill, Mary's Of Course, New Town Bistro, the Old Fourth Street Filling Station and Zevely House. Wine was provided by Total Wine & More.
The fresh flowers were provided by Costco of Winston-Salem and Minglewood, and arranged by Ginger Wiggins, who joined the staff in March as the gallery coordinator.
Wiggins was stationed at the sales counter with member artists Donna Layng and Karen Bass. Layng joined Associated Artists when she moved to Winston-Salem 11 years ago from Elmira, N.Y. She said that membership in the group inspired her to start painting again. She said she has benefited from meeting other artists and having the opportunity to show her work.
Bass has been an artist member for four years. "I like to support the art community," she said, "and this gives me an outlet for my art." She said she was introduced to the group by her mentor, Bill Gramley, who, with his wife, Sandra, was a host patron for the fundraiser this year.
The title "Honorary Host Patrons" was awarded to Marcus and Margo Crotts. Mrs. Crotts has been a patron member for about 30 years. "That means I buy the paintings," she said. On Friday night, she bought Barbara Roberts' watercolor titled Spring Show and said she planned to give it as a wedding present. "This is one of the most exciting things all year," she said. "It ushers in the spring season."
Artists love patrons such as the Crotts who support their work and the galleries in which they are able to display it. Kent Dunn, one of the newest artist members, is an architectural designer by trade. In his life as an artist, he does architectural renderings and watercolors. In the past year since he joined AAWS, he said he has been commissioned for three paintings.
The gallery was filled Friday night with both artists and their patrons. Amidst the many familiar faces, I noticed a few I didn't recognize. Ron Gerard and his wife, Ellen, introduced themselves as "avid" art collectors from Damriscotta, Maine. Mr. Gerard said they visited Winston-Salem for the first time last year and planned their return trip to coincide with the fundraiser. "It's bigger and livelier than I expected," he said.
On my way out the door, I ran into two of my favorite artist members, Sylvia Alderson and Elaine Dowdell, both host patrons this year. Alderson said that being a member provides valuable support. "Give me another artist, and I'm happy," she said. Alderson moved to Winston-Salem from Rochester, N.Y., and joined Associated Artists in 1986. She served as its president from 1997 to 1999.
Dowdell acknowledged that she is among the senior members of the group. She joined in 1967, shortly after she moved to Winston-Salem from Washington. "I'm very possessive about Associated Artists," she said. She told the story of her husband encouraging her to paint again after they got settled in their new home. When she found the group of artists, she said, "it gave me my place."
Today, AAWS gives about 600 people their "place" in the community.
■ Have a social or charity activity that you would like Scene & Heard to share with Journal readers? E-mail features@wsjournal.com and type "Scene" in the subject line or call 727-7339. You may contact Leigh Somerville McMillan directly by e-mail at lsomervi@bellsouth.net.
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