The Churchill Arts Council’s 31st annual fundraiser is happening March 4 and includes a silent auction and dinner catered by The Slanted Porch.
The event, this year themed “A SteamPunk Evening with the Arts,” starts at 5:30 p.m. in the Fallon Convention Center with an auction preview, bidding and no-host bar. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. (tables of 8 or 10 are available) and the auction concludes at 8:30 p.m. Theme-related attire is encouraged if desired.
The theme is from a genre blending science fiction and historical details. For example, a film set in the future but featuring steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology. Also design and fashion styles that combine historical elements with archaic technological features inspired by science fiction.
“One of the things we like to do is change things up every year,” said CAC Executive Director Valerie Serpa of the unique theme. “It kind of adds another element of excitement and fun — because along with raising money for our programs and services, this is a fun evening … This one has kind of captured everybody’s imagination. It inspires not just artists but attendees.”
The auction will contain nearly 200 eclectic items — artwork, theme pieces, dinners, weekend getaways, tickets to cultural events and more — all donated by local and regional artists, businesses and entrepreneurs.
Dinner will include house-made focaccia bread, Caesar salad, herb-crusted filet mignon and a half Maine lobster tail, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables and dessert, or asparagus ravioli in a light tarragon cream sauce as a vegetarian option.
The cost is $80 per person for dinner, wine and auction admission or $90 to add $20 worth of raffle tickets.
Seating is limited so reserving spots early is encouraged. Contact CAC at 775-423-1440.
The event theme will be visible in the table centerpieces designed by Cody Chenoweth and Kirk Robertson, pieces composed of parts used in parking meters formerly lining Fallon’s streets.
Serpa said without the meters’ housings, the insides of the meters melded well with the “SteamPunk” theme.
The director said when meters were retired, they were cannibalized for parts to repair other, still in use, meters.
Chenoweth drew plans for the base, incorporating a reverse view of a cog in a machine, which Fallon Welding & Ott’s Farm Equipment manufactured. Serpa said the CAC board has been hard at work attaching the bases to the meters.
There are a limited number of table art pieces, and they will only be available for sale at the fundraiser.