Annual fundraiser set for Jan. 28
The Markeim Arts Center works hard to be sure it gives locals not only the experience of fine art, but visual, performance and decorative art as well.
In its 61st year, the Markeim Arts Center is bringing residents all experiences of art together at once at its annual fundraising Winter Gala at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 with the theme “Deliciously Dark.”
“It will be a fantastic, fun event unlike anything they can experience all in one place, and supports the Markeim Arts Center,” MAC Chief Operating Officer Bob Hochgertel said. “This fundraiser goes a long way to help us do what we do every year.”
Matching with the theme, on Markeim’s walls for the event will be the “Exquisite Corpse” exhibition. Local, regional and national artists have been asked to interpret this art tradition theme in a variety of media. The Exquisite Corpse was an “art game” first played by the French Surrealists of the 1920s. The game required each participating artist to paint a different third of the body. The top artist would render the head of a person or animal, the middle artist would create the torso, and the final artist would do the legs. The end result would not be seen until all pieces were completed, together known as a “corpse.”
Early in the evening, there will be a live “Exquisite Corpse,” as three artists simultaneously create their parts of one Exquisite Corpse. The participating artists are Diane Paul, Neil King and John Giannotti. Giannotti’s paintings and sculptures have been exhibited worldwide, and he is well-known to this region as he created Haddonfield’s dinosaur sculpture of Haddy the Hadrosaurus Foulkii.
Later, attendees will enjoy a comedy show featuring Moorestown’s Dena Blizzard of “One Funny Mother,” also known as the “Chardonnay Go” mom. Blizzard’s routine has been receiving raves from across the nation. Entertainment for the evening is sponsored by Haddonfield Plays & Players.
“This year’s theme ‘Deliciously Dark’ came from the fact that the name of the exhibition is called ‘Exquisite Corpse,’ since it has a dark connotation. We thought we would embrace it. The ‘delicious’ part is because there will be amazing food and drink as a part of the event (also with the theme),” Hochgertel said.
MAC secured the services of chef Shawn Harris of UrbanChefs Catering, a new social enterprise for the nonprofit UrbanPromise. Along with cooking instruction, he teaches the youth of Camden the value of professionalism, timeliness, courtesy and a welcoming smile, according to the UrbanPromise website. He and his student will prepare the dark and delicious refreshments for the evening, including some dark chocolate treats and mole sauce.
“Employing the services of Shawn and the youth in culinary arts, it is a continuation of the (MAC)’s community support. It is good for them, learning the culinary arts, and good for us with (Shawn’s) first-class chef experience,” Hochgertel said.
The night will conclude with an auction of artwork and a variety of silent raffle items.
Money will go to the Markeim Arts Center and help fund its many programs and camps.
“Markeim has been providing classes and camps for over 60 years. A lot of our programing, including those for children and adults with special needs and shows featuring those artists, gets funded by the money raised at our Winter Gala,” Hochgertel said.
Recommended attire is business casual. To get tickets, visit www.markeimartscenter.org.
