Art in Bloom Fundraiser to be Held in DuBois

The first mural in the Winkler Gallery and Art Education Center’s Paint the Town Mural project will be placed at the corner of W. Scribner and N. Brady Streets in DuBois. It will feature the incredible collection of antique hand-carved, hand-painted carousel animals exhibited at the center as well as local produce sold at the Downtown’s Farmer’s Market. (photo from the WGAEC Facebook page)

By Julie Rae Rickard

DuBOIS – October is the time for harvest fests, leaves and all other things that Autumn brings. But did you know it is also the time for an annual floral event?

The Winkler Gallery & Art Education Center in DuBois will be hosting its third annual Art in Bloom fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7.

The fundraising event “combines the elegance and whimsy of floral arrangement with the beauty of fine art,” according to information on their Facebook page.

There will be more than 20 floral displays which will be raffled off “along with fine art pieces donated by our artists.”

The grand prize, provided by Brady Street Florist, is a floral arrangement a month for six months.

The arrangements will be donated by sponsors including April’s Flowers, Hanzely’s Garden Center, Down to Earth Garden Club, Simple Elegance (Jan Wilson), Roses on Main, and Goetz’s Flowers.

Last year’s Art in Bloom raised $1,800 to support the WGAEC’s education programs.

In addition, the event will kick-off the fundraising campaign for the Paint the Town Mural project which plans to place several large murals throughout the Downtown DuBois area.

“Our first mural will serve as a powerful tool for enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the downtown area, creating a visually appealing and engaging entry into downtown DuBois for residents and visitors alike,” it says on their website winklergallery.org.

They will also reflect local history and culture to provide “a sense of pride” to residents.

“We hope the murals will become iconic symbols that represent the unique character of our city.”

Projects such as this have been known to attract tourists and will benefit local restaurants and shops.

The murals will be created by local artists, various residents and organizations.

If you can’t make it to the Art in Bloom event, you can make a donation to the mural project through their website or Facebook page.

Friday will feature a musical performance by Ellen Starski who is known for her magnetic personality, dynamic songwriting, emotive vocal style, and her music’s “keen ability to reach directly into our souls,” according to her website, ellenstarski.com.

“Her celebrated debut solo album, The Days When Peonies Prayed for the Ants, released May 2018, traces Starski’s autobiographical, geographical, and emotional journey from her origins in rural Reynoldsville, PA, where she began playing guitar at 19 and singing the blues in local bars, to her current career as a solo Americana artist in Nashville.”

She will perform while “renowned water color artist Perry Winker” provides a painting demonstration.

There will be other demonstrations during the weekend and a few classes are being offered including instructions in watercolor, stained glass, mosaic and more, according to a press release. You can register for these at their website.

Here is a break-down of the celebration.

Friday, October 6:

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.: Opening Gala

– Perry Winkler painting demonstration.

– Special musical performance by Ellen Starski.

– Engage with our talented new artists and fellow art enthusiasts.

– Enjoy music, explore the gallery, and indulge in appetizers and beverages provided by our sponsors.

– Admire and possibly win one of more than 20 beautiful floral arrangements that complement the art.

– Gain insight into the transformative Paint the Town Mural project, discovering the inspiration behind it, the artists involved, and the impact it will have on the community.

Saturday, October 7:

11:00 a.m.: Gallery/Art in Bloom opens

– Refreshments and beverages available from our gracious sponsors

– Ladies Lunch at Luigi’s

– Presentation by Alvetro’s Landscaping and Garden Center.

– Mosaic Tile Class – Anju Jolly – Open to children and adults

1:00 p.m.: Watercolor Paint and Sip – Perry Winkler

1:00 p.m.: Stained Glass Suncatcher Class – Kat Kowal- Open to students from high school to adult

4:00 p.m.: Drawing for floral and raffle winners and Grand Prize

5:00 p.m.: Art in Bloom 2023 ends

The Winkler Gallery and Art Education Center, located on the second floor at 36 N. Brady St., DuBois, is a non-profit gallery and education center that represents the artwork of the very best artists of the area.

It is open Tuesday and Wednesday, from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.