Prairie Arts Center plans for annual gala

Kathy Ballard, Ami Chamberlain, Liz Draper and David Gorenz show some of the donations that will be available during the Prairie Arts Council's Gala on Feb. 5. (Photo contributed)

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PRINCETON — The annual Prairie Arts Council’s gala will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Wine Cellar in Princeton.

This year the Prairie Arts Council will be honoring local artist and art educator Mary Win Norris for her “Lifetime Achievements in the Arts.”

Norris has been a tremendous advocate for the arts and has supported the arts through her own work and her art teaching. She has been very influential in raising the awareness and appreciation of the arts. She was one of the original board members for the Prairie Arts Council and has made numerous contributions of her art works to the PAC and other local organizations. She has also provided tremendous guidance to her many students. Her life has been dedicated to the arts, and the community has greatly benefited from her considerable achievements in the arts. This “Lifetime Achievements in the Arts” award is a new award that will be made annually to recognize and honor special people like Norris who have made such important contributions to the arts.

The theme for this year’s PAC gala is “The Arts Brighten Our World,” and this theme will be reflected in the many both silent and live auction items at the event.

Some of the gala’s auction items include a gourmet meal for two at the Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield with wine pairings provided by the Wine Store in Princeton. There will be a private walking or driving tour of Princeton’s historical homes presented by Pam Lange who is the director of the Bureau County Historical Society. Max Halberg will be providing a private golf lesson and a round of golf at the Wyaton Golf Course. Master Gardener Laurie Bonucci will be donating a private landscaping consultation, and Hornbaker’s Gardens has donated a gift certificate for plants. Kathy Ballard has created a beautiful terra cotta Aztec vessel for the auction. Both Kathy Clark and Joel Nelson will be donating photographs. The Gorenz family is donating a Victorian dollhouse for the auction. Ann Dittmer of Annie’s Little Pots will be providing private pottery making lessons for the auction. Gina Nelson has created an original design necklace from Bead Buzz. Festival 56 has donated Flex-Four tickets for their 2010 season. Julie McCutchan again this year will be donating her outstanding cookies each month from March to December. There will be art works from Susan Berry, Dennis Elliott, Benny Boedigheimer and Harry Clucas. This is only a sampling of the many auction items that will indeed brighten your world.

The gala is the main fundraiser for the Prairie Arts Council, and the funds raised will be used to continue and enhance the many programs the PAC offers for the local community. The PAC is a completely volunteer organization, and its only sources of funds are donations, memberships and the gala.

Reservations for the gala can be made by calling Ami Chamberlain at (815) 875-1972 or Linda Gustafson at (815) 872-9181.