CHAIRS FOR CHARITY

Chairs for CharityLocal philanthropists urge creativity in Dadeville to raise money for the public library

STORY & PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICK HIDDING

Passion for art and a love for community is what called Raining Dogs Gallery owner Will York to sit down with Zazu’s Verandah owners Mitzy and Rick Hidding to talk about how art could be brought to the beautiful Dadeville Square in support of the community.

York had a vision. He wanted to challenge local artists to create one-of-a-kind chairs, and both parties wanted to support the community and draw attention to the fine arts. As a result of the meeting, Chairs for Charity was born.

“We ultimately decided chairs and other small items such as stools, mirrors, side tables, etc., would be great to have the artists unleash their talents on and raise a few dollars for the square,” said Rick Hidding. “So together we reached out personally, through social media and flyers, to artists who we thought may be interested in such a unique opportunity. We have been delighted with the response."

All original works that have been donated for Chairs for Charity will be on display at Raining Dogs Gallery during the month of August. The gallery is open Thursday through Saturday, 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. Interested parties may visit the gallery, peruse the beautiful handcrafted furniture and place a silent bid to have the opportunity to

Bid on a Chair

Local artists leaped at the opportunity to create beautiful chairs to be sold at auction to raise money for the Dadeville Library.

purchase their chairs of choice.

When deciding how to allocate the money raised through by the Chairs for Charity fundraiser, the Hiddings already had a recipient in mind.

“The Dadeville Public Library had been the beneficiary of the wine tasting events we did here at Zazu’s in April and May. We knew they were striving to get a new roof and wanted additional items for the library, which made it easy for us to decide that the library would be the recipient of the proceeds from Chairs for Charity,” Hidding said.

York, along with the Hiddings, is eager for the auction of the one of-a-kind pieces of art.

The Dadeville Library plans to raise the roof, as well as purchase new books, e-books, books for children and

young adult readers, with the money raised through Chairs for Charity. “To borrow a word from artist Linda Bell,” Hidding said, “nearly two dozen artists began “chair-ing,” and many finished pieces have already arrived at the gallery.” Smaller-framed, decorated or hand-crafted furniture pieces can be submitted at Raining Dogs Gallery through the end of July. On Sept. 16 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. there will be an event/party at Zazu’s Verandah showcasing all of the original works of art and where the final silent bids will Getting Artsy York and the Hiddings expanded the rules to be made. “The artists have been so include stools, mirrors, side tables and other generous with their time and small pieces of furniture. talents to Chairs for Charity, and we hope the community will come out to support Dadeville and our library,” Hidding said.

Support the local businesses who support the area where you live, work, and play.

Luxurious Amenities: Resort, Golf, Tennis, Fishing, Spa, and Wooded Trails

Everyday Grandeur

DISCOVER A LUXURIOUS GOLF LIFESTYLE LIVING ALONG GRAND NATIONAL GOLF COURSE

Tucked away on the outskirts of Auburn University at the world-class Grand National Golf Course, the award winning National Village offers everything you’ll ever need for the way you want to live. The thoughtfully crafted master planned community features georgeous homes designed by national award winner Larry Garnett and built by Ab and Don Conner at Conner Bros. Construction Co., Inc., a local company with more than 100 years of experience. With the Marriott at Grand National on site, residents enjoy championship golf, miles of picturesque nature trails and lakes for fishing, spa and pool. National Village is truly an unbelievable place to live – inside or out. Plus, thanks to the high speed fiber optic network of Opelika (Alabama’s first Gig City), our homeowners enjoy some of the Nation’s fastest internet for any work- or learn-from-home requirements.