BELLEAIR - Members of the Fine Arts Society are gearing up for their 43rd annual "Art in Style" fashion show and luncheon at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa on Monday, December 11, and they want you to join them. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gulf Coast Museum of Art. The opening of the "Holiday Boutique" at 10:45 a.m. in the Tiffany Room will kick off this year's fundraiser. A fashion show presented by Dillard's under the direction of Dawn Zachman is scheduled at 11:45 a.m., after which a gourmet luncheon will be served. John Crapper, a member and former trustee of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art, will serve as master of ceremonies for the runway show, which will feature professional models.
Tickets for "Art in Style" are $60 per person. Those attending may also purchase tickets for the "Lucky for Art" opportunity drawing. Area businesses have contributed a variety of gifts for the occasion, such as a $1,000 shopping spree at Dillard's, a $1,000 private spa party for five at Radiance medspa and a weekend stay at the Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa. Cappello & Company has contributed a $300 gift certificate, Belleair Opticians has donated a pair of designer sunglasses and both the Columbia Restaurant and Rusty's at the Sheraton have provided $100 dining certificates for the drawing. A hand-knitted baby blanket valued at $165 will be given away courtesy of The Flying Needle. And who wouldn't like to win the special "Fashionable Feast" for eight offered by Betty Lang? For reservations, you may call 595-1349.
This year's event is being coordinated by FAS president Judy McSwine, projects chair Sherrie Morton, vice chair Kate Sullivan and treasurer Ann Lauder. Doris Kesling is invitations chair. Lois O'Donnell is reservations chair. Betty Arvanitis, Yvonne Cahill, Midge Coward, Barbara Englehardt, Marie Gage, Jean Gibbs, Pat Jordan, Jeannie Macpherson, Jeanne Shepard and Margaret Siracuse will serve as hostesses for the event. Lynn Lawton is coordinator of the Program Book, which will include a recipe centerfold by Margaret Siracuse. Jean Searson is responsible for the festive seasonal table decorations.
Back in 1963, the Fine Arts Society elected Dorothy Edmunds as its first president. Purpose of the group was, and still is, "to promote the welfare of the Gulf Coast Museum of Art and to promote public interest and participation in the activities of said museum and to strengthen and increase the membership thereof; to assist and cooperate with said museum in any or all of its efforts and programs; and to these ends maintain among the members of the Society a close personal acquaintance with the activities of the museum." Edmunds is still a member and will be among those attending "Art in Style" 2006.