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Arty Adirondack chairs to star at gala

The fundraising event for the Helen Ellis hospital foundation features an auction, dinner and dancing. If your feet tire, just bid.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published September 28, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - Adirondack chairs, those classic symbols of lazy summer days, can be a bit of a snooze.

But some local artists are waking them up by turning them into wild and crazy works of art.

Consider relaxing on top of a mermaid, her blue fins at your feet. Or resting your head against King Neptune's beard. You may even spot a tarpon flying overhead.

Nineteen of these carved, embellished and painted chairs will be auctioned off Saturday night during the Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital Foundation's 20th annual gala. Dubbed "Club Caribe," the island-themed event will be held at the Westin Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor. Tickets cost $150 and include cocktails, dinner, dancing and entertainment.

Siobhan Nehin, queen of the Garden Fairies, a group of gardeners and artists who frequently delve into community projects, said her flock is creating seven chairs, five for adults and two for children. They've also created 20 colorful and whimsical steppingstones for the auction.

"This Sunday, we turned Lois Snyder's woodworking shop into a virtual fairy factory with buzzing saws, breaking glass, blaring music and happy chatter," Nehin said. "We've combined all our talents and come up with some very special things. They should be quite the conversation pieces."

Nehin is particularly proud of the Palm Tree chair with winding palm fronds for cup holders.

Pop artist Jules Burt of Plant City created a 3- by 4-foot piece of artwork, which is pictured on the foundation's party invitations. Burt's splashy and bold artwork has received national exposure on television programs such as Friends, NBC's Today Show and Access Hollywood.

She has painted two chairs for the auction, called Chair with Flair and Tropical Hoopla.

"They are full of flowers and dots and whimsical hoopla guaranteed to brighten any room," she said. Signed reproductions of Burt's artwork will also be available at the gala.

Christopher Still, whose works of art can be found in museums and private collections, as well as on the walls of the chamber of the Florida House of Representatives, has painted a chair he calls Sunset Beach, which features the Anclote lighthouse.

"I painted it in honor of our favorite place to watch the sunset in Tarpon Springs," he said. "I picked colors I thought would be pleasing for someone's furniture."

Other community artists contributing chairs for the auction include Elizabeth Coachman, John Hoffman, Elizabeth Indianos, Lauren McKinley, Kellie Schauer, Steven L. Spathelf and Doug Wright.

Established in 1927, Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital is a 168-bed acute care facility that serves northern Pinellas and western Pasco counties. The benefit will raise funds for the renovation of the hospital's birthing center, where about 1,000 babies are born each year.

"Last year we raised $75,000 and we'd like to double that this year," said Terry Smither, executive director of the Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital Foundation. "This is the first time we've ever auctioned Adirondack chairs and it should be quite colorful and fun."

The 20th annual Health Benefit Gala, "Club Caribe," will be from 6 p.m. Saturday to midnight at the Westin Innisbrook Resort, 36750 U.S. 19 N in Palm Harbor. Tickets are $150 each and include cocktails, dinner, dancing, and entertainment. Chairs and other items will be displayed and auctioned with proceeds benefiting Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital's birthing center. Dressy island attire is requested. Call the hospital's foundation at (727) 942-5048.

[Last modified September 28, 2005, 02:30:38]