Best Seat in the House Art Show & Auction

March 2, 2012 - PRLog -- It is not a new idea.  It has been done in different cities.  Charitable groups have asked artists to paint and decorate everything from hearts to horses to raise money for a worthy cause.  The Yoknapatawpha Arts Council’s “Best Seat in the House” provided twenty Mississippi artists with a vintage chair to decorate, deconstruct, and transform into a work of art to raise funds for the continued renovation of a community arts center.

The twist the arts council added was to make the sale of the chairs not just an event but a call for support.  The Arts Council is working to raise funds to continue renovation of the Powerhouse Community Arts Center.  The space, originally built in 1928 to house the water pumps and power generating equipment for the city, has been occupied by the Arts Council since 2005.  “The renovation of the building has come in phases,” shared Wayne Andrews, director of the Arts Council, “with work being done as funds were raised.  The first renovation basically pulled all the equipment and industrial materials out of the building leaving us with two large rooms.”  

The Arts Council and their supporters have maximized the barebones building drilling bolts into the thick red brick to hang panels used to display art in one room, and building a stage in the second to serve as a black box theatre.  The space is not designed for music, theatre or dance so the sound bounces off the brick walls.  “We work each year to improve the tools we have for the arts groups to utilize so they can present productions that are engaging, interesting and creative.” added Andrews.  The Powerhouse Community Arts Center is a living building even in it’s rough state as home to Hinge Modern Dance Company, Theater Oxford, The National 10 Minute Play Contest, Laff Co Improv, and a host of unique events.

Best Seat in the House was designed to point out the limitations of the building and create a focal point around the effort to renovate the theatre space. The chairs will be auctioned offer on March 27, 2012 during the closing reception for the exhibit which features the chairs. One chair will be given away.  “We wanted to give a reason for those that love and support the arts but do not live near The Powerhouse to still feel they could be part of this effort.  Oxford is a university town and lots of alumni have fond memories of this town.  So, we created something that would allow them to give back.  Donors can go online to oxfordarts.com and make a donation to the Best Seat in the House campaign.  If you donate $25 your name will be included in a drawing for one of the chairs.  ‘We have someone who has offered to donate the shipping so you don’t have to be present to win.” commented Andrews.

Best Seat in the House is a fundraiser for the Powerhouse Community Arts Center and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council which provides support to Mississippi Artists and provides access to the arts for residents of North Mississippi.  To learn more visit the arts council website at www.oxfordarts.com

Learn more by going here: www.indiegogo.com/Best-Seat-in-the-House-Art-Show-Auction

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The YAC presents high level arts and supports over 20 different various groups. All of this is made possible by the support of individuals and businesses, through memberships and donated funds.