“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” – Vincent Van Gogh.
On October 23, a series of small things will come together to create the first annual Mint Hill Arts Gala. “The Starry Night” – named for Van Gogh’s iconic and timeless painting of the same name – will take place at Old Sycamore Country Club from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.
Although it’s still many months away, the evening is already shaping up to be a grand affair. The night will commence with a welcoming champagne toast led by Master of Ceremonies and newly elected Mint Hill Mayor Brad Simmons. Guests will be treated to hors d’oeuvres and a delicious buffet dinner featuring surf and turf prepared Old Sycamore’s amazing chef and dessert from local artisans. The evening will close with entertainment from amazing talent chosen by Mint Hill Arts.
The evening will also feature the opportunity for guests to take part in several fundraisers, like a “wine pull” and both silent and live auctions. Many of the auction items have yet to be set, but one item already on the docket is a meal with Mayor Brad Simmons, and Mint Hill Arts Vice President Sandy Harrison hopes other local celebrities will get involved as well. Also up for auction will be art pieces created by local artists and students and items from local businesses.
“The Starry Night” will benefit Mint Hill Arts, a fine arts center that supports local artists and serves as a source of education and cultural enrichment to the citizens of Mint Hill and surrounding areas. Mint Hill Arts accomplishes this through monthly gallery exhibits in its spacious gallery and gift shop in the heart of Mint Hill as well as numerous class offerings for both children and adults.
“Mint Hill Arts furthers the interests of artists and the public through its programs, exhibits, and demonstrations,” says Harrison. “You may notice pieces by local artists while shopping in and around local businesses. We also showcase a monthly gallery exhibit in our spacious gallery and gift shop right in the heart of Mint Hill.”
The Gala will be an important fundraiser for Mint Hill Arts. Though the organization garners a small amount of revenue from gallery fees, gallery and gift shop sales, and classroom tuition, they rely heavily on contributions from individuals and businesses. “Mint Hill Arts is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization. We count on fundraising to keep our doors open for our artists, students, and community,” says Harrison. “We are very grateful that we have support given to us in grants from the town of Mint Hill as well as the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte. Other than the grants, we count on contributions from local businesses, and membership fees to fund monthly expenses.”
For many years, Mint Hill Arts also counted on former President Romey Mizel who handled much of Mint Hill Arts’ fundraising single-handedly. In the void left by Mizel’s absence, Mint Hill Arts’ executive board began exploring other avenues for fundraising, and the idea for the Gala began to take shape.
Harrison has set a high bar for this first gala: she hopes to raise $20,000 – money which will support Mint Hill Arts’ normal business expenses throughout the year. A portion of the proceeds earned on student art projects will also go back to local schools to support their art programs throughout the year.
The Gala is more than just a fundraiser for Mint Hill Arts. “We also hope to raise public awareness of Mint Hill Arts and our mission statement,” says Harrison. “The Mint Hill arts programs offer a healthy outlet for both children and adults to create, learn and volunteer. Supporting local organizations like Mint Hill Arts can bring the community together and keep that small town feel in our growing town of Mint Hill.”
Tickets for “The Starry Night” will be available online starting February 15. In the meantime, Mint Hill Arts is actively seeking donations and sponsorships for the Gala. If you’d like to help Mint Hill Arts reach its goal, contact Vice President Sandy Harrison at 704-608-6164.
“We are grateful for the local businesses who support Mint Hill Artists,” says Harrison. “We encourage members and non-members to drop in and enjoy the art while sipping a cup of coffee. Our gallery hours, as well as art classes schedule, are posted on our website at www.MintHillArts.org.
