The Volunteers in Art will be hosting the 28th Annual Arts and Flowers Luncheon on Thursday, November 5 at Harrah’s Convention Center. This is your opportunity to shop the artisan mall for distinctive, original, handcrafted holiday gifts. Your favorites, like the Santa lady will be there, as well as, 11 new vendors. Among the new artists are creators of soaps and candles; fused glass ornaments and necklaces; hand-woven tea towels and table runners; several new jewelers; hand-woven baskets; gourds and veggies made from upholstery fabric; Christmas coasters and pet pads. If you aren’t sure what a pet pad is, be sure to arrive at Arts and Flowers early!

In addition to the artisan’s mall, guests can bid on several high-value silent auction donations. In the past, items have included flight vouchers and mall gift certificates. Guests also can purchase raffle tickets for one of the specially prepared raffle baskets with values ranging from $200 to $1,000. Back by popular demand, buyers can choose which raffle basket they want to win. For each $20 of tickets, the buyer will receive one ticket for the GRAND prize basket.

Profits from Arts & Flowers are the only source of funds for the museum volunteer organization. These funds are used for special staff requests, art for the museum permanent collection and to fund volunteer events. Special staff requests in the past have included interactive technology for the education department and cost saving tools for the curatorial department. The annual Volunteer Recognition Day and Holiday parties, the volunteer newsletter, the volunteer pins and all general volunteer support are all funded by Arts & Flowers.

There are several ways you can help make the event a success.

• We welcome your help in obtaining donations for the raffle or silent auction. If you know someone who may be willing to make a donation contact Lucy Walker, artgirl734@yahoo.com. They can make sure we haven’t already contacted your donor and can help you contact them if needed .
• We always need interesting items for the raffle or silent auction; art work, something from one of your travel locations, unusual gifts. If you have an interesting item you would like to donate contact Lucy Walker.
• We also always need volunteers the day of the event, selling raffle tickets, helping the artisans or helping set up for the event. If you would like to help contact Rosalind Bedell at the NMA, 329-3333, ext. 252
• If you can’t help with donations or as a volunteer you can help by underwriting a staff member’s lunch. A donation of $25 buys lunch for one of the staff who supports the event and says thank you for all that they do. Contact Lucy Walker.

Finally, come out and enjoy the event. Put together a table of ten friends or just make a reservation for yourself. Be sure to reserve the date, November 5, come to lunch and buy all your holiday gifts at the artisan mall. Reservations are available starting September, 15.

This event will sell out. All proceeds will benefit the exhibition and education programs of the Nevada Museum of Art. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 for a table of 10. Purchase your ticket online at www.nevadaart.org/tickets or call the reservation line at 775.329.3333 ex. 286. Pre-paid reservations are required and are limited to the first 500. The tax-deductible portion of each reservation is $15. As a cost-saving measure, we will be forgoing a mailed invitation, so please SAVE THE DATE for this exciting and popular event.