November 14 is your opportunity to support a great cause…and have fun doing it!
For the fourth year, Belmont Village Senior Living will host An Art Affair, a fundraiser to benefit St. Matthews Area Ministries (SMAM). The event is an example of how area partnerships and cooperative efforts can provide for the needs of the community.
This special evening is all about art, music, entertainment and refreshments, and it’s all for a worthy cause. Only local Kentucky and Louisville artists are invited to participate. A wide variety of art forms are represented including wood, metal, ceramic, glass, and a variety of painting types. The artists enjoy participating because it gives them an opportunity to reach a new and unique audience, sell their work and know they are supporting a good cause. All money raised during the evening goes directly to SMAM programs, which aid those needing assistance with rent, utilities, clothing and food. It’s going to be a fantastic event that supports the community in a meaningful way.
“St. Matthews Area Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began 52 years ago,” says Julie Abbott, St. Matthews Area Ministry Executive Director. “It is not a church, but one of 13 community ministries in the city of Louisville. In 1972, three churches came together because they saw people in need. Today member churches and other organizations, as well as businesses, work together to provide a wide range of services such as emergency financial assistance, a food pantry, homebound delivery, infant and toddler items, school supplies and much more.”
The idea of An Art Affair is to support both local artists and SMAM. The first floor of the facility is transformed into an artistic showroom where attendees can meander through the various artistic offerings and purchase items of interest. Guests are treated to a lovely array of hors d’oeuvres and a wine bar – and to cap off the evening, a chocolate fountain with a variety of fruit and other food to be dipped in the decadent warm, melted chocolate.
The November date, being close to the kickoff of the holiday season, lends itself to gift buying.
“We try to have a good variety of artistic mediums, and our goal is to have between 14 and 20 artists from Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville,” says Erika Kerins, director of community relations for Belmont Village Senior Living. “This year we have both new artists and some that are returning. The event is set up to have a good flow with plenty of space between artists. Another aspect of the fundraiser is a silent auction.”
Bidding can get lively and competitive on the unique items. Securing these items requires meticulous planning and often takes several months. Kerins notes that numerous local businesses generously donate a variety of items, and there are also contributions from artists who, despite being unable to participate in the show, graciously provide pieces for the auction.
An added treat is the opportunity to participate in bourbon tasting. Dr. Jerry O. Dalton, 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee, will share facts and local lore about the samples provided. Dalton earned his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Louisville and has the distinction of being the only non-family member to serve as master distiller for Jim Beam. After being in the position from 1998 to 2007, he trained Jim Beam’s great-grandson, who then took over Dalton’s job when he retired.
“There has been ongoing support and cooperation between SMAM and Belmont Village,” Kerins says. “Right after COVID we started talking about different possibilities that would work well as a fundraiser. None of us had a real solid concept but we knew we wanted to do something with the arts, and this evolved. A graphic designer from one of the area partner churches designed the logo. The artists pay a booth fee and the first year it was hard to get artists lined up. Now, since we have done it before, it is easier. Each year we tweak the event to make it better, and our goal is to have it grow.”
“Originally SMAM had a huge senior focus, but during these times it is coming full circle,” Abbott says. “We have learned that since the pandemic, we need community partnerships, and we can’t do anything without volunteers. People have needs 365 days a year, so we must step out of the box and introduce the ministry to the community. The ministry has no budget for promotions, which makes us appreciate this unique collaboration.”
The programs of SMAM benefit all ages and, as a result, strengthen the community. It works with Louisville Gas & Electric and Louisville Water to provide financial assistance with utility bills. It offers essential items for infants and toddlers such as diapers, wipes and other gently used items. School supplies, including those needed for preschool, are distributed the first week in August each year. These are available as the school year progresses until items run out.
The food pantry programs are made possible by the generosity of the community and a valued partnership with Dare to Care Food Bank. Each month deliveries are made to homebound individuals. During the holidays, the organization spreads joy with seasonal baskets distributed at Easter and Thanksgiving. Hams are given out at Christmas.
“An Art Affair really is a fun night,” Kerins says. “The tickets are only $25 and attendees are getting so much. The event is a nice evening out – just three hours – but there is so much packed into it, and we offer free valet parking.”
The location for An Art Affair is Belmont Village Senior Living, at 4600 Bowling Boulevard in Louisville.
SMAM is housed within St. Matthews Methodist Church at 319 Browns Lane in Louisville. To seek assistance, individuals must call 502-893-0205 on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Services are by appointment only.
Volunteers and donations, both monetary and in-kind, are always needed. For information, visit stmam.com.
Tickets for An Art Affair are available for purchase here.
