Some Of Our Local Talent

was showcased last weekend at our church.

This year was our

Third Annual Art Show & Silent Auction.

It is a fundraising event that I started

to raise money to support our

Jr. & Sr. High kids on their

annual Mission Trip.

These are just a few of the kids who helped out last week.

To share how this all started I have to tell

you quite honestly that I can not sing

a note! I love music, am in awe of

people with any musical talent,

sadly that is not one of my gifts.

Our church has an amazing music program

with several different choirs, handbells,

organ, trumpets, even a contemporary

christian group.

I got to thinking one day about how

while I couldn't sing or play an instrument

that God had given me other talents,

art being one of them.

So I set about praying and asking God

to use my gifts for his Glory.

Well as He often does He whispered an idea

into my head and the Art Show was born.

I figured I wasn't the only one in our

congregation that had any artistic talent

and that perhaps these folks would be willing

to share their gifts to help fund our

Youth Mission Trips.

Adults and kids alike donate their art work

and we have this annual show and hold

a silent auction where people can bid and win

an original piece of art.

It has been a huge success and I am

always amazed by the generosity of the

donating artists as well as the bidders.

I shouldn't be surprised really because

when God whispers an idea in your ear

it's always a good one!

We set up our contributions in our

Fellowship Hall, which as you can see

actually serves as a gym/dining room/stage area.

Now keep in mind we do the best with what

we have, chalk boards draped in black fabric,

settees borrowed from our own homes

along with some artificial trees for

ambiance.

I only managed to get a few photos

but you can get the idea from these.

We play classical music in the background

and serve refreshments.

Since we can't actually serve real wine

we do the next best thing, white and dark

grape juice in little plastic wine glasses.

There are fruit platters, cheese platters and

finger sandwhiches.

As you can see we get a variety of art forms.

The piece below was done by one of our freshman girls.

a colored pencil drawing of the Coloseum,

 which she traveled to last summer.

What started as a way to raise funds

has turned into a real social event.

The folks love to see what type of work others

are doing and of course getting to

buy some original art is a nice bonus too.

This was one of the pieces I donated this year, sorry

about the quality of the photo.

I'll share some of my other contributions

with you over the next several posts.

Remember that God blessed you with

your talents, I encourage you to

find a way to share them for a good cause.

You won't be sorry you did!