Chair-A-Tee officially starts today but chairs have been popping up at local businesses a little early. Be sure to take a look at all of the chairs and place a bid if there’s one you can’t live without. Your bid is tax-deductible (minus the $50 stipend for the artist of the chair) and money raised is going to Pink Arrow Pride. Bids will be accepted until 3pm on August 26.
Mary Helmic calls Wyoming home and Suzanne Butler-Lich resides in East Grand Rapids. Like many they both have friends and family who have been on a cancer journey or are currently fighting. The chair Mary and Suzanne created is located at Larkins.
Designing a Chair
The pair decided on a wooden armed chair with an upholstered seat. The simple look of the chair allowed for the contemporary floral design of the fabric to provide the inspiration for the rest of the piece. Beginning steps included crayon and colored pencils used to draft different ideas on a paper outline of the chair before a final design was selected.
The brightly colored flowers influenced the various colors of the wooden portions of the piece. “We wanted something uplifting, celebrating life. The flowers express renewal of life and the vivid colors gush with positivity.” indicates Suzanne. The piece is sure to brighten any room it occupies. Additional embellishments bring everything together. “We used thin balsa wood to cut out flowers and leaves, and flat cording to create vines for decorations on the chair’s brightly painted surfaces.” says Mary.
Place Your Bid!
Mary and Suzanne came together to make an inspiring summer chair. And during Michigan’s often dreary winter the winning bidder of this chair will have something to brighten his or her day. An ordinary and even boring chair has been turned into something fabulous. The chair the duo created can be seen at Larkins through August 18. A special exhibit of all the chairs will take place at LowellArts from August 22-26. A closing reception and announcement of winners will take place August 26 from 2-4 with final bids placed by 3pm. The unique piece will be a great addition to any home. “I think Chair-A-Tee pairs a fun, challenging project with a great cause!” concludes Mary.
Photos courtesy of Mary and Suzanne and used with permission.
This is a great way to show the talent of the many artists and to raise some money for Pink Arrow. Don and I are so proud that our niece who lives more than 4 hours away from Lowell wanted to be part of this. I think I need to promote her. See Tina’s chair displayed at the Chamber of Commerce.
If she’s interested in my writing an article about her and her piece feel free to have her contact me at [email protected]
You pulled it all together and wrote a fine article. Thank you, Amanda!
Thanks! And you’re welcome. I enjoyed learning about your story and being able to share it.