It's Time to D'Art for Art

June 26, 2015

Crooked Tree Art Center’s largest fundraising event is marking its 18th year with a two-day celebration of art, food and wine – with a twist.

The event is supported by 250 artists who donate original artwork. The art is passed along to every individual, or couple, who purchases a ticket to the festivities, which includes a preview event on Wednesday and the main D’Art event on Thursday, both held at Irish Boat Shop in Harbor Springs.

It’s how you get your piece of art that’s the real draw.

MEET AND SPY 

All donating artists are invited to the Wednesday preview evening. This strolling reception is your first chance to see the art you might be taking home from the main event on Thursday, so you’ll want to take careful note of where your favorite artists have displayed their wares.

Wednesday night also features the D’Art Big Boards, which display a sampling of the things up for grabs during the event’s silent auction. This year, the offerings include food, wine and travel packages; unique home goods; adventure opportunities; and 6-by-6-inch mini-paintings by area artists.

WINE AND DINE

Wednesday also features tasting tables, which include winemakers from Michigan and California.

A wide range of specialty hors d’oeuvres will be offered, showcasing the skills of area chefs like Nancy Kelly from her namesake restaurant in Pellston and Matt Bugera from The New York in Harbor Springs.

"A couple of the boutique wineries who are joining us from out of state are Materra/ Cunat Family Vineyards in Napa and Jada Vineyard and Winery in Paso Robles," CTAC Development Director Cindy McSurely said. "And local favorites Black Star Farms and L. Mawby have been with us since 2011."

DASH AND GRAB!

When Thursday arrives, the art component of the event takes center stage. After a delicious seated dinner catered by Executive Chef John Norman in Irish Boat Shop’s airy warehouse, the twist begins.

"The D’Art itself is the finale of the evening," explained McSurely. "At the end of the night, when your artist’s name is randomly drawn from the bingo ball machine, you and about 30 other guests literally dart – as in run or move quickly – for the specific piece of artwork you would like to have."

McSurely said some guests take this "sport" very seriously.

"Every year, post-event, we find handdrawn maps with the locations of people’s first, second and third choices," she laughed.

SMILE AND SUPPORT

D’Art benefits the artists, too. Since 2008, CTAC has produced a full-color catalog of the donated artwork that includes each artist’s contact information and gallery locations. If patrons discover an artist they love, they can continue to support that artist’s work into the future.

Eighteen years may seem like a long run for a recurring fundraiser like this, "but the event is as popular as ever," McSurely said. It also continues to give back to the local art community.

"The proceeds from D’Art for Art directly support CTAC’s year-round programs, including visual arts, performing arts and dance scholarships," she said. "We serve over 50,000 people annually with our arts programming, so we’re very grateful for all the support we get for this event."

D’Art for Art’s preview night is Wednesday, July 15 ($75 per person) and the main event is Thursday, July 16 ($500 per person/$650 per couple). For reservations, contact CTAC at 231-347-4337 or crookedtree.org.

top: "Amazing Blazing" by Kevin Barton, one of 2015’s featured D’Art artists.

above: Becky Fuhrman, John Joslin, artist Carol Imes Luscombe with her painting, Debbie Joslin and Mary Sue Siciliano at the 2014 D’Art for Art.