Second Annual Meredith Village Art Walk to Benefit Food Pantry

As the days grow ever shorter and the cold nights come early over New England, we draw our attention indoors to pursue creative endeavors or gather with friends and family to honor warmth, light, and love with good food and cheer.  However, many families are struggling this holiday season, and need help with food for their loved ones.  In Meredith, some creative folks have combined forces to lend a hand to those in need, all while celebrating the season with beautiful art, music and of course, delicious food!

Next Thursday evening, December 8^th, six galleries in Meredith will participate in the second annual Meredith Village Art Walk, themed “Food for the Soul,” to benefit the Meredith Emergency Food Pantry.  From 4:30 – 7:00 that evening, visitors can stroll through candlelit storefronts in quaint Meredith Village and view beautiful local and international works of art while chatting with local artists.  At the lakes gallery at chi-lin, Gallery 51, The Fine Carpet and Asian Antique Gallery, The Hodecker-George Gallery, VynnArt (Art Supply Store), and Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts, guests will enjoy music, refreshments, and unique discounts, as well as a special raffle that will provide donations for the Food Pantry.

Visitors will receive a raffle ticket for every donation of non-perishable items they bring valuing $5.00 or more.  Another free raffle ticket will be given to visitors when they turn in the official Art Walk map signed or stamped by the owners or staff at each gallery.  Raffle tickets can also be purchased for $5.00 each or 15 for $50.00.  All tickets will be entered into a drawing for a 24” x 30” original oil painting, “Autumn Birches,” by local artist and gallery owner, Christine Hodecker-George.

Paul Rowley, Director of The Meredith Emergency Food Pantry, in front of Christine's raffle painting

Each gallery will also have its own special shows and sales for this evening only.  By popular demand, the lakes gallery at chi-lin will be presenting a trunk show featuring the new winter & holiday collection for chi-lin’s exclusive “Pearls near Jade” jewelry line by designer Marsha Gintzler.  These beautiful pieces feature a combination of fresh water pearls and Asian jades with sterling silver, gold, and silk detailing.  The gallery’s satori tea garden will feature a wonderful “warming” holiday gift—unique Asian green, oolong, and black teas in tea presses with handmade tea cozies, as well as Ashlawn’s Asian and Middle Eastern coffees in a coffee-press-for-one. In addition, ten percent of the sales of “journey stones”, which are elegant flower containers made from granite fieldstones, will be donated to The Meredith Emergency Food Pantry.

"Journey Stone" vase at chi-lin

Gallery 51 and the Hodecker-George Gallery will both have a 40% discount on all of Christine Hodecker-George’s artwork, with 10% being donated to the Food Pantry.

Vynnart will have a sale on gift baskets filled with various art supplies.  With a purchase of any VynnArt Creation, 10% will be donated to The Meredith Emergency Food Pantry.  The Fine Carpet Gallery is offering 70% off of most items in the store, and Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts will feature all American handcrafted items.

The artists and art dealers of Meredith urge everyone to come out and support the Art Walk and its generous cause.  For those who cannot make it that night, donations and non-perishable items can be dropped off before the event at any of the six galleries during business hours.  Donations are also always accepted at the Meredith Emergency Food Pantry, located at 147 Main Street in the Community Action Building.

For more information about the Meredith Village Art Walk, please call Vynnie Hale, owner of VynnArt, at 279-0557 or Suzanne Lee, owner of the lakes gallery at chi-lin, at 279-8663.

Carrie Reed
The Mill Falls Blogging Team

photos courtesy of the lakes gallery at chi-lin