Save the Date: PAINTS 10th Annual Bird House Gala Set for May 17

From a Press Release by P.A.I.N.T.S. (Promote Art in the Schools)

The 10th Annual PAINTS Bird House Gala will take place in the lovely garden of a spectacular private garden in upper Piedmont with breathtaking views.

PAINTS (Promote Art in the Schools, Inc.), will hold its signature fundraiser benefiting visual arts programs in Piedmont Schools on Friday, May 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Individual tickets for the event are $80 in advance and $90 at the door.

“First of all, the setting for this year’s Bird House Gala is spectacular! We have gathered a really fun group of artists and creative types who understand the vital importance of an arts education in public school and are willing to donate their work and their time to support PAINTS," said event creator Karen Stanton of this year’s event. "Expect great art, great food, great bird calling and great fun on May 17."

The Bird House Gala features both live and silent auctions.

This year there is a focus on putting together unique and surprising art experiences for the live auction as well as amazing art pieces.

Returning artists include: the ever popular painter Raul Jorcino; Jon Schleuning who wowed the crowd last year with his “No. 2 Pencil Bird House”; local encaustics painters Larraine Seiden and Lorna Strotz; and the well-followed Suzie Skugstad among many others.

Happily, the super-cool Tom Franco known for his collaborative art making will make an encore appearance. Metal smith Lynda Raynsford is a new addition this year and her work is already creating a buzz among PAINTS board members.

Entertainment includes performances by the 2013 PHS Birdcallers.

Also back by popular demand will be East Bay Caterer Renni Lynn Burg who will be whipping up more scrumptious appetizers.

“Many local businesses ranging from Grubb Co. Realty to Galleria Scola to Mulberry’s Market choose to support the event as a way to express their dedication to promoting art education in our schools,” said PAINTS President Alicia Elliott.

To find out more about sponsoring the gala, please contact the Susan Crown (sscrown@crowntoto.com). Sponsorships for this year’s Bird House Gala begin at $250 and are listed on the PAINTS website at www.piedmontpaints.org.

PAINTS was created in 1989 by a small, dedicated group of Piedmont parents whose high school students’ passion was the visual arts. Eventually all six Piedmont schools were included in PAINTS’ efforts. Over the years, the organization has grown to support all six Piedmont schools and included nearly 500 members, consisting of parents and community members. In 2008, it became an official non-profit and obtained its own 501c3 status.

The main activities of the group are regular art shows, free community art workshops and gatherings and the Bird House Gala. The money raised goes to fund art activities and stipends in the schools, grants for special art-related projects and professional development for all Piedmont school staff. To date, PAINTS has donated more than $350,000 to such programs.

For more information on PAINTS, please visit www.piedmontpaints.org. For more information on the PAINTS Bird House Gala please email Karen Stanton at kjstanton@sbcglobal.net.