Congressman and Mrs. Lynn Westmorland, Senator Ronnie Chance, and Senator Mitch Seabaugh as well as Fayette County’s four state representatives, three Fayette County mayors and other community leaders are joining together to support Christian City’s ministry to abandoned and abused children this Christmas by hosting the third annual “Chair-ity” fundraiser. This unique and elegant event will be held at the Hollingsworth House on Stonewall Avenue in downtown Fayetteville. All proceeds will help the children who live in the cottages at Christian City to have a wonderful holiday season and will help buffer the many other operational costs The Children’s Village faces this winter.

The owners of the Hollingsworth House, Craig and Belinda Fitch, are inviting guests to drop in on Monday, Nov. 30 from 5-7:30 p.m. to support this very worthy cause. Over 25 local artisans have painted unique and beautiful chairs and other pieces of art, which will be auctioned off in a live and silent auction.

Tickets are $25 each and include hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, live music and holiday cheer. Due to popular demand, tickets must be purchased in advance online at www.christiancity.org or by calling 770-703-2636.

Christian City’s President and CEO Bob Crutchfield spoke with gratitude when discussing the event. “I am blown away by the efforts of the Hollingsworth House owners, Craig and Belinda Fitch, and all the hosts, volunteers, artists and sponsors,” said Crutchfield. “It is amazing how many people have come together and how hard they have worked to make this a special event. There is no way we could provide for our children during the holidays if it weren’t for the generosity of the community. We are forever grateful.”

Located in Union City, Christian City cares for children who come to them both by private placement and from the Department of Family and Children Services. With a focus on family, education, and healing, Christian City is well known and respected throughout Georgia as providing a program of excellence. Social workers, house parents, and psychologists work together to minister to children who are dealing with life crisis, such as death of a parent, divorce, or sexual, physical, and emotional abuse issues. Christian City’s program allows children from every background to have access to a traditional family environment and support systems to help mend their wounded spirits. For many, Christian City will be the only home some children ever know.

The funds to provide this care are raised through individuals, civic groups, the faith community, local businesses and from fundraisers like the Hollingsworth House Chair-ity Event.

Just like the children who live at The Children’s Village, each of the artists have their own unique story. Although it would be impossible to feature all 25 artists, the following is a sampling of those who have donated their time and talent to make this event special.

Patsy Gullet is a professional artist who lives and works in Fayetteville. She holds a degree in Fine Arts and has successfully applied her talents and training in the commercial art field, as well as in the creation of fine art works. Since 1981, Patsy’s work has focused on the architectural heritage of the south and across the country, leading her to travel extensively throughout the U.S. She has produced many fine portraits of historical buildings, homes in sculptured watercolors, and her campus scene series of universities and colleges. The quality and sensitivity of this series has attracted numerous public and private commissions throughout the U.S. and Internationally.

Artist Vicki Turner lives in Fayetteville and has 37 years of experience in art and design. Her paintings are displayed in local banks, bookstores, and galleries in Georgia and Tennessee. Among her many accolades, she was featured in Arts & Expressions Magazine and Fayette Woman Magazine. In 2008, Congressman Lynn Westmoreland chose Vicki to paint a Christmas tree ornament for the White House’s “State” tree in Washington D.C.

Last December, Vicki traveled to Washington for the special artist reception hosted by First Lady Laura Bush at the White House.

Gloria Perkins began her passion for art as a young child, with a fascination for color. Today, using oil as her medium, she focuses on still lifes, florals, and landscapes as her main subject matter. Gloria has established quite a profound reputation in the art world both in the U.S. and Internationally. Gloria was selected by the National Society of Painters to have her work exhibited in Japan during 2008. The work is now part of a permanent collection maintained by the Society. In June 2009, Gloria had the opportunity to paint in Monet’s Garden for five days. She entered a plein air competition during this time and won the Claude Monet Award. She donated one of the garden pieces to the event.

Janet McGregor Dunn’s enthusiasm for creating her interesting and eclectic art and pottery is obvious. She discovered her love for working with clay 15 years ago after a lifetime of drawing, painting with oils and acrylics, and multi-media crafting.

Her work is earth, bluesy, and each piece seems to be completely unlike any other she has made. She brings nature into some of her work, adding straw, rocks, and leaves from the woods surrounding her home in Fayette County.

Peggi Groff lived at Christian City from the time she was 13 years old until she graduated high school. She is a wonderful example of the many children who found a safe home, loving house parents, and all the essentials needed to grow up and become successful adults. Peggi went on to graduate from UGA and continues to live in Athens where she manages a senior healthcare facility. Her love for Christian City and for UGA football is expressed in a UGA Bulldog rocking chair signed by her friend UGA Football Coach, Mark Richt. Coach and Mrs. Richt are wonderful friends of Christian City and sponsor six of the children who live in the cottages at The Children’s Village.

New to Georgia, artist Kimberley Guthrie portrays fun and frolic with her whimsical animal characters. Kimberley was a classically trained artist who attended a high school for the visual arts and secondary education at the Institute of Art in France. While previously known for her intricate and detailed murals, she currently focuses her creativity on children’s themed oil and acrylic paintings on canvas and paper maché.

As a bright, young artist, Kristin Hauch studied under Greg Grant in Ormond Beach, Fla., for several years where she developed a solid foundation for realistic drawing and painting. Her talents flourished, and at the young age of 12 she was invited to Washington D.C. to receive national recognition for an original acrylic still life painting entitled “Of Mice and Men.”

Having combined her passion for horses and art, Kristin currently works as the Director of Marketing for Flying Change, a nationally recognized non-profit organization that provides equine assisted psychotherapy to at risk and abused teens in Atlanta.

For more information about Christian City, The Children’s Village, or how to sponsor a child, visit www.christiancity.org.

For more information on the Chair-ity Event, access www.chair-ity-event.org.

login to post comments