ART AUCTION PREVIEW PARTY AT MORRISON

Charlotte Observer

On Jan. 9, did you flip for your slippers or shake your booties? Then you were at the preview party for United Family Services Art With Heart Auction at Morrison, the new SouthPark retail/ residential development. Out of respect for the future owners of the $1 million condos, guests were given fleece slippers or blue slip-on booties to wear to protect the hardwood floors. Along with works by the auction's artists, the preview included fabulous food from G.W. Fins and a private sale of art from Center of the Earth Gallery, with a percentage of proceeds donated to United Family Services. The party also launched the Morrison Arts Initiative, which showcases art in Morrison's retail spaces; www.www.morrison-arts.org. The Art With Heart Auction is Feb. 2 at CenterStage@NoDa; www.artwithheartauction.com.

BY OLIVIA FORTSON, OFORTSON@CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

United Family Services Launches “2008 Art With Heart Auction” With Gala Reception and 16-Day Public Preview At Morrison

Charlotte, NC, January 9, 2008 – United Family Services, creator of the annual “Art With Heart Auction” to benefit its anti-domestic violence programs and services, will launch this year’s auction with a 16-day public preview of artwork donated to the Auction along with a gala invitation-only art reception in two new $1+ million luxury condominiums at Morrison.

Artwork from well-known regional and national artists, as well as pieces by emerging local talents, will be on display throughout Morrison from January 9-25.  Morrison is a new-urban neighborhood of shops, restaurants, and luxury urban residences at the corner of Sharon and Colony Roads in South Park.

In addition to a sneak peek at work by the Auction’s best-known artists, the January 9th reception will also include a private sale of work represented by Center of the Earth Gallery – with a percentage of all proceeds donated to United Family Services.

The formal Art With Heart auction will be held February 2, 2008 at CenterStage@NoDa.

The public art installation and private reception on Wednesday, January 9 will mark the formal launch of the “Morrison Arts Initiative”, a move on the part of Morrison’s developers – Grubb Properties and Casto Lifestyle Partners – and its merchants to showcase the depth and breadth of artistic expression in Charlotte within everchanging and accessible public venues.  The Initiative will feature a range of display art including painting, pottery, glassware, sculpture, weaving, woodworking, furniture and fashion as well as performance arts like musical concerts, dance, poetry readings, film and street theater.  New installations – in the restaurants, shops, offices, storefronts, and even outdoor spaces at Morrison – will launch monthly on a “2nd Wednesday” schedule.

“We are grateful to Grubb Properties and Morrison for partnering with us on this exciting event,” Liza Smith, Art With Heart chairperson, said.  “Last year was a record-breaking year for Art With Heart, and I believe the opportunity to showcase the work donated by so many our region’s most talented artists in advance will help us top even last year’s record for funds raised to support  United Family Services’ domestic violence programs.”