The Third Annual Wine & Art Benefit for Land Conservation
The Athens Land Trust and The Oconee River Land Trust, both local non-profit organizations, presented their 3rd annual Spirit of the Land Wine and Art Exhibition from Sunday, March 25, through Saturday March 31, 2007. Proceeds from the exhibition are for land conservation in Oconee and Clarke counties, as well as other parts of Northeast Georgia.
As in past years, the land trusts hosted a curated exhibition and art sale featuring artworks by many well-known local and regional artists whose visions heighten our appreciation of the land. This 2007 exhibit was curated by René Shoemaker (Circle Gallery UGA); Alan Campbell was signature artist. Other participating artists included Margaret Agner, Kenny Aguar, Rinne Allen, June Ball, Elizabeth Barton, Amy Bramblett, Toni Carlucci, Nancy Carter, John Cleaveland, Sally Coenen, Jen Graff, Flo Gross Applefield, Carol John, Philip Juras, David Lindsay, Dianne Penny, Scott Pope, Mary Porter, René Shoemaker, Jackie Slayton, Margie Spalding, Michael Stipe, Jim StipeMaas, Jason Thrasher, Lamar Wood, and The Cap Man. Unlike art auctions held by many groups, proceeds of sales from this Spirit of the Land art exhibit are shared with the artists in order to create a sustainable model to benefit land conservation for years to come and ensure a fair deal for our creative community.
Beginning with the March 25 art exhibit opening and dessert reception in the Botanical Garden Conservatory, the works were on sale through March 31 at the culmination of the Spirit of the Land celebration that featured live music by Tin Cup Prophette, hors d’oeuvres by Dondero's Kitchen, and tasting of high quality wines selected by Gosford Wine to reflect the ‘spirit’ of the land that produced them. Also featured was an auction of fine wines, gift certificates from local restaurants and businesses, local craft and gift items, and other surprises that included a photograph previously on the cover of the R.E.M. "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" album, signed by Michael Stipe.
