The Finale was a Great Success!

I think it is safe to say that a good time was had by all! Although it was a rainy evening, we had a good turnout. Many came anticipating winning their favorite items, and it was with much enjoyment that I helped people find their winnings to take home.

I am enjoying getting to know more people involved in the Aroma of Art auction and met several of the artists that donated their work this year. It was wonderful seeing faces from last year's event, new faces of artists donating their work for the first time and first-time visitors, curious as to what Aroma of Art is all about.

The food was not only delicious, it was beautifully displayed in the front room of Taste Full Beans Coffee House. Thanks so much to L&L Catering for the amazing spread!

Thanks to all of the artists who donated so generously to the auction - it could not be a success without you! Thanks to all of the volunteers who served in a wide variety of capacities, from food and drink servers, to all who helped with the checkout process. We truly were a crack professional team! And thanks especially to Edgar and DW of Taste Full Beans for being the hosts with the most! Thanks too to Lisa Miller of the Women's Resource Center, Jennifer Hart Dockey of ALFA and Jane Earnest of the Humane Society of Catawba County for coordinating such a smooth ending to the evening.

Pictures of the event will be posted soon, and the links to the artists will stay up so that you can keep up with all that's new.

If you bid on some items but did not make it to the finale, please stop in this week at Taste Full Beans Coffee House or call to see if you are a winner. There were several items not claimed as of the close of the finale, so many of you have wonderful art waiting for you to take home.

Come Bid on All the Jewelry!

There has been such an outpouring from jewelry artists this year for the Aroma of Art auction at Taste Full Beans! Local jewelry artists and some from Asheville, Greensboro and Charlotte have donated their work.

The photos you see in this post are pieces by Mary Alexander of Magpie's Treasures and are on display and for bid at the auction.

There is still time to place your bids! Make a visit to Taste Full Beans to get your bid number. The final bidding will end at 6:30 pm tomorrow evening, February 28. We hope to see you at the finale!

Aroma of Art Finale - Join us at Taste Full Beans for the Auction!

The Aroma of Art silent art auction comes to an end on Saturday night, February 28 beginning at 5:00 PM. Proceeds benefit three nonprofit groups, ALFA, Humane Society of Catawba County, and the Women's Resource Center. Taste Full Beans in downtown Hickory is hosting Aroma of Art, and the public is welcome to come and bid on the beautiful fine artwork, pottery, jewelry, photographs and woven pieces. All you need to do is to come into Taste Full Beans and get a bid number. The photographs shown here, titled "Trees", "Cheers!" and "Straws", are by Cindy and Sam Tallman and are part of the Aroma of Art auction.

Each of the three groups receiving funds from AOA support a variety of needs in Western North Carolina that directly benefit the people in our community. You can show your support for all non-profits by attending the AOA finale and taking home some beautiful artwork.

Lisa Miller, Executive Director of the Women's Resource Center says, "Proceeds from AOA will directly support local women going through difficult transitions - including unemployment, divorce, illness, and mental health issues. In 2008, WRC staff and trained volunteers responded one-on-one to 716 requests for help. These requests came from Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, and Alexander counties. Community donations can help an unemployed woman receive professional clothing, laundry detergent to wash clothes, and a $10 gas card to help her get to her interview and back home."

Executive Director of ALFA, Jennifer A. Hart, tells us, "Funds raised from Aroma of Art will be used to support the ongoing mission of ALFA, specifically to provide life-saving services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and to provide free and confidential HIV counseling and testing services to an eight county service area. Funds can provide co-pays for expensive medications and treatments or support ALFA's food and hygiene pantry. Funds will also be utilized to purchase UniGold HIV antibody tests. With just a prick of the finger, results can be read in just ten minutes. We thank Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse for recognizing the critical need for HIV/AIDS awareness and compassionate support in our community!"

"With the funds raised through Aroma of Art, Humane Society of Catawba County will be able to rescue 15 or more homeless animals. We will be able to spay/neuter, perform a complete medical exam with tests, give vaccinations, provide shelter and feed and groom these animals while we work towards finding them a Forever Home," says Jane Earnest, Executive Director of HSCC.

The finale begins at 5:00 PM with hors d'oeuvres, wine and coffee provided. Bidding ends at 6:30 PM with check-out following immediately.

If you don't already have a bid number, there's still time to get one at Taste Full Beans. Taste Full Beans is located in downtown Hickory at 29 2nd Street, NW, Hickory, NC 28601. Form more information, call 828-325-0108.

Cry of the Wolf

This is another fine offering from our friends at Wolf Song Studio. This painting by Sandi Baker is titled "Nala" . I am a big fan of both Sandi and JW Baker's work and have one of Sandi's paintings hanging in my home.

Their talents combine with paint and canvas to create images of nature that are truly extraordinary. This image of Nala looks like she will step right out of the painting!

Treat yourself to a visit to Tastefull Beans for good food and drink, and the experience of seeing the Baker's work along with all of the other wonderful artists on display.

Remember, everything is being auctioned off for charity and the bidding will end at the finale on Saturday, February 28th at 6:30 PM. The evening starts at 5:00 PM and will feature finger food, wine and other beverages and lots of good conversation. Hope to see all of you there!

The Bright Glow of Silver

Here are two more beautiful offerings from one of our artists....Earrings and Necklace of Opalite by Jessi Eurich. See her link under AOA Artists Online. You can see these and other wonderful auction items at Tastefull Beans in Hickory.

This painting on auction is by one of Tastefull Beans long time favorite artists, Derfla.

The title of this painting is "Uncle Lego" and is on display and up for bidding at Tastefull Beans Coffee House through Saturday, Feb 28th when the bidding will end at 6:30 PM.

We hope to see you at the finale which starts at 5:00 PM.

Of Earth and Fire...

Pottery is a time honored traditional art form here in North Carolina. From the kiln openings around Western NC to the many galleries across the state, you will find generations of potters showing their skill and artistry, from the functional to the purely decorative.

The Aroma of Art auction is no exception. We have several examples of gorgeous pottery for you to bid on. This piece was made by David Bellar and is just one of the fine pieces donated to the auction. Come see the variety and skill of local craftsman and bid on a piece or two - its all for good causes and will give you a piece of NC history to boot. The auction will go on until the Saturday, February 28th, so be sure to get into Tastefull Beans Coffee House to see all that is on display and to place your bid!