Friday's fundraiser at the Virginia Beach Art Center sounds groovy.
Bell-bottom jeans and ponchos are encouraged, along with sandals and headbands.
Dig?
Hippie Fest is 6 to 8 p.m. in the ViBE Creative District.
“It’s an opportunity to support the mission of the Virginia Beach Art Center,” said Executive Director Margaret Foltz. It could become annual if it is successful, she said.
The center houses an artists' cooperative, offering a chance to see the 22 resident artists in their studios. Additionally, more than 30 artists will have work for sale. The nonprofit connects the community to art through monthly exhibitions, classes and events throughout the year.
Friday’s fest includes a costume contest, artist demos, music from the 1960s and early ’70s, and elevated appetizers. It will also have a tie-dye station for making shirts.
“Of course we’re going to have onion dip with chips!” said Ellen Duckworth, the center board member who thought up the idea of a festival celebrating peace, love and art.
Duckworth, 71, remembers her hippie days with fondness and noticed that art shows often attract an older demographic.
“One thing I know about us old hippies is we love art,” she said. “We’re very creative. I’m not saying we’re all like that, but this kind of event draws creative people.”
The center aims to raise $5,000. Tickets are $50.
Stacey Allin, owner of Gladmist Glass Designs, and Jama Watts, who creates wearable art and embroidered home decor, are among the demonstrating artists.
Allin uses a hot torch to craft each glass bead, which contributes to the durability of the jewelry.
“There are not a lot of lamp or glass artists out there anymore,” Allin said, “and I’ve stuck with it.”
Other demos include mosaic artist Claudia Croneberger and Jorge Saenz, whose abstract art utilizes wax for layered paintings, often inspired by social causes.
The far-out eats from Yummy Goodness, a woman-owned catering company, will include a cheeseball platter, deviled eggs with smoked paprika and chives, blackened shrimp skewers, pigs in a blanket with apricot and ginger-glazed meatballs, mac and cheese cups with truffle sauce, and smoked gouda and herb-cheese-filled celery, garnished with green olives.
Beer, wine and a signature Purple Haze drink will be part of the evening.
The fundraiser comes as arts organizations across the country are dealing with federal budget cuts and people are spending less because of concerns about the economy.
Foltz said the National Endowment for the Arts did not approve a second year of funding for a project that was geared toward military-affiliated individuals taking classes.
“We are working to find another avenue for that,” Foltz said.
Duckworth, who is active with many local nonprofits, said there is never a time when fundraising isn’t important.
“This is a time where I think there’s a lot of uncertainty about where the economy is going, a lot of confusion about what the next steps should be. When that happens, people have a tendency to zip up their wallets.”
In July, the center, established in 2017, merged with the artists' gallery, which had been in operation for more than 30 years. The entities were under the same roof but operated with separate boards and budgets.
“We decided it would make sense to be stronger together,” Foltz said.
Classes continue to draw well and art sales are steady. However, Foltz and the board are mindful of the need to be creative in generating funds. Previously, the center’s only events-based fundraiser was its annual art auction in September.
Foltz added, “It’s not a dire situation, but it is definitely one where we have to do everything we can to keep funds coming in."
The Virginia Beach Art Center is at 532 Virginia Beach Blvd. Visit the website for tickets and information.
