Published: November 28, 2009 09:41 pm      

Promoting the arts in Cass County

Comfortable with the Arts Day on tap Monday, Tuesday

The Cass County Arts Alliance has taken a different approach to this year’s Comfortable with the Arts Day fundraiser.

Cass County Arts Alliance President Lisa Terry said the organization decided to host a variety of events over a two-day period.

“We just thought we could provide more emphasis on the arts by putting more in a day and a half than over several different days or weeks,” she said. “We didn’t want to take it closer to the holidays and felt it was a better way to end our year.”

Terry said the event has been going on for several years.

“The premise for it is to show the community is comfortable with the arts,” she said. “Comfortable with the Arts Day is another way to expose the talent we have in Cass County and educate our community about the importance of arts, how it impacts tourism and the quality of life, and how it can engage children’s imaginations.”

She feels the fundraiser is an affordable way for others to make a contribution and show support.

The two-day fundraiser begins on Monday with several activities.

Gayle Williams and Sam Piercy will be performing musical numbers at Logansport Memorial Hospital lobby from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday. At the same time, Kado Downs will be working on a piece of art.

“We are trying to offer different artists at different locations, to give people a taste of what is going on in Cass County,” Terry said.

Cass County Arts Alliance board members and volunteers will be working at Pizza Hut from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday. Any tips the volunteers make will be contributed to the fundraiser, as well as $1 from each adult buffet purchased.

Terry added local musician Kevin Bean will serenade customers while they are eating. Teri Partridge will be present and customers will be able to watch her paint.

On Tuesday, community members and area business employees can participate by giving a $2 donation. In return for the donation, the person will receive a sticker to wear all day. Terry added some businesses are allowing workers to dress down for the day or have extra lunch time.

The donor’s name will be entered into a raffle to win a chance at tickets to the Med Flory Jazz and Blues Festival and the Arts on the Avenue. Anyone wanting to purchase a sticker can call the Cass County Arts Alliance at 574-735-ARTS.

Some Cass County school students will participate in the Comfortable With the Arts by donating 50 cents and each school will decide on the reward. Those students will also receive a sticker to wear.

Between noon and 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Michael Booth will perform music and Lisa Terry will recite poetry at the Logansport-Cass County Public Library.

That evening, members of the Junior Civic Theater will rehearse and perform their upcoming show “Toy Store” from 6 to 8 p.m. at Logansport Mall. Additional mall entertainment will take place during the same time.

The event will wrap up Tuesday night with the eighth annual Cass County Arts Alliance Volunteer Awards, which begins with a social at 5:30 p.m. and awards at 6 p.m. at the Logansport Art Association, 424 Front St.

This year, the Suanne Schwering Heart of the Arts Award will be given to Carol Pasquale, who is being honored for 30 years of dedication with the arts. Terry said Pasquale has volunteered her time with stage managing, directing, producing, and set construction with the Civic Players of Logansport and Junior Civic Players.

Awards will also be given out to the following categories: Arts Advocate, Arts Educator, Arts Leader, and Arts Volunteer. Each winner will receive a stain glass art piece designed by a local artist.

The cost to attend the awards ceremony is $10 per person and reservations may be made until noon Tuesday. Wine, cheese and desserts will be served.

All funds raised will be shared among the arts alliance, The Civic Players of Logansport, Logansport Junior Civic Theater and the Performing Arts Council of Logansport.

Terry said the funds go towards each organization’s annual budget.

Terry hopes this year’s events will be a success and everyone who can help out will.

“Obviously, there are so many things going on with the holidays and we know it is a very strapped economy, but it is still important to make that small $2 contribution,” she said. “If everyone in the county did, we could enhance the quality of arts in Cass County.”

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com