Where the Art Is

By Deena Davis
Contributing Writer                                                                                                                                                                                        
There’s no formula to create success, but there is a key ingredient and it’s collaboration.                                                                                                                       
Hailey Adkisson, Lake Agassiz’s Habitat for Humanity marketing coordinator, wanted to “think outside the box,” when presented with the task of fundraising. The end result is a collaborative art show and auction called “Home is where the Art is.”                                                                                                                                                                   
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple and affordable housing for deserving families. In order to obtain their goal, fundraising is essential. When Adkisson joined Habitat, she was presented with the task of raising awareness for the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which assists the organization to maintain their basic costs. In the Lake Agassiz Habitat ReStore, people can purchase gently used appliances, furniture and building supplies.                                                                                                                     
“The task was to look at the ReStore and think about what we could do to make the community more aware,” Adkisson said. “If we don’t have customers in the store, we’re not making a profit [and] it’s really going to affect the goal of Habitat of building homes.”                                                                                                                                                 
When researching ways to raise awareness, Adkisson looked at what other charters across the nation did in the past.                                                                                                 
“I was just kind of trying to think of an unconventional way other than just saying, ‘hey lets have a sale!’” she said.                                                                                                     
After networking with other Habitats, she was able to mold an event that would be unique, fit with Lake Agassiz’s Habitat mission and raise funds.                                                                 
The collaboration of artists and the Habitat ReStore is what makes this event different from what has taken place in the past.                                                                                       
Local artists who wanted to contribute to this charity event were given a $50 voucher to the Habitat ReStore with one guideline: to use one item from the store in their final piece. By the deadline for submission a total of 22 artists contributed to the event and 25 pieces will be up for the silent auction.                                                                                                         
“Most people think the only way to help for Habitat is maybe building a house or donating money and to me what the artists have done has been just as beneficial. They didn’t build a house, and they didn’t donate money, but they’re using their talent to create something that we will be able to auction off and help support Habitat for Humanity.”                                                                           
The Home is Where the Art Is, Habitat ReStore Recycled Art Show and Auction will take place on Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Spirit Room Gallery – 111 Broadway. Artwork will be on display beginning Feb. 2, 2011.                                                                                                                                                                                                       
The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 9:30 p.m., while the silent auction ends at 8:30 p.m. Wine tasting and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Tickets can be purchased at the event for $20 or $15 in advance on Fargostuff.com or at the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity office - 210 N. 11th St. Moorhead. Guests must be 21 or older to attend.                                                               
Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)                                                                                                                                                                 

IF YOU GO:                                                                                                                                                                                             
When: Saturday, Feb. 5, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., silent auction ends at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Spirit Room, 111 Broadway
Tickets: $20, $15 in advance at Fargostuff.com, or at Lake Agassiz Habitat office 210 N. 11th St. Moorhead, 21+ ID