THE CHAIR AFFAIR

In the fall of 1998, a group of interested teachers, school administrators, and community members came together to apply for a grant from WSAC that offered funding for arts in the public schools. Visual arts, music, and drama were offered as electives only in grades 7-12. Limited levy funding supported one-shot arts activities in the elementary grades on a monthly basis. There was not a climate of collaboration between the arts specialists and classroom teachers, and arts lessons were not integrated into the curriculum.

The Consortium fostered a different kind of collaboration than had ever happened before. The Port Townsend Community Consortium, now known as PT Artscape, has transformed arts education in local schools through eight years of advocacy, programming and creative problem solving. The Consortium began to take shape almost a decade ago, when a team of arts advocates saw potential in linking local resources with the school district, and launched this effort with a Consortium proposal to the Washington State Arts Commission.

The annual fundraiser, “The Chair Affair” will be held on Sunday, May 25, from 5:00-7:00 pm at the American Legion Building in Port Townsend. Local Artists’ unique hand painted chairs will be auctioned off that evening. You can get a sneak peek at the chairs by visiting the businesses that showcase student work. All proceeds will support Arts programming in the Port Townsend School District, K-12th grade.

The 2007 event raised over $6,000 for the arts in the schools program.
(above verbiage is excerpted from the PT Artscape web-site)

ArtWave 2008 and Chair-Affair-ing began last night with Gallery Walk. Student art has been placed along with all the artists creations in 40 participating venues!

Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who work so hard to make this happen for two years now and to the artists who have joined the fun to help generate funds for this great program. I had such a good time being a part of last year's event and I am participating again this year. The photo at the top of this post is of my 3 contributions. The 3 photos below are these chairs individually. (click on each photo for larger images)

CAN'T SIT STILL
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

AS MY MUSE MOVES ME


The following photo is of my contribution last year. This photo was taken before it was completely finished. I gave it the title of FIND YOUR ART. The winning bid went to a very nice couple I know in Port Townsend who are both professional artists themselves and have it hanging above a small cabinet in their home (bottom photo).