D E A T H B Y
D E S S E R T
CROW plans darkest chocolate event of
the year for Valentine’s weekend
B
race Yourselves, Florence. On
Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m.
at Three Rivers Casino Resort
Showroom, things are going to
get sinfully sweet. They might perhaps
also get a little “salty” as local bakers,
restaurants, caterers and purveyors of
delicious treats vie for recognition and
prizes at CROW’s first annual “Death by
Dessert” fundraiser.
Sweethearts and singles are both
encouraged to tickle their tastebuds at
this Valentine’s Day weekend party.
Guests will be invited to try samples of a
large variety of decadently wonderful
sweets and treats and then vote for their
favorites, maybe kick up their heels a bit
to the Rat Pack stylings of “Buck and A
Quarter Band,” and participate in a fan-
tastic Silent Auction and Wine Pull. And,
all of this will be happening while atten-
dees are supporting a truly great cause
— local youth in the arts.
Last year, Children’s Repertory of
Oregon Workshops (CROW) raised
about $24,000 through auctions, pledges
and donations, which put the nonprofit
well on the way to finalizing it’s new
home: The CROW Center for the
Performing Arts, located at 3120
Highway 101 in Florence.
“Events like this are made possible by
countless volunteer hours, generous
dessert donations by bakers, incredible
silent auction donations from businesses
and community members and lots of old
fashioned hard work. We are so incredi-
bly grateful to everyone who has helped
us with coordination of this event, which
is designed to shake up the fundraiser
world,” said CROW Artistic Director
Melanie Heard.
In Spring 2015, 501 (c)(3) organiza-
tion, CROW, secured its new home
through the help of an infusion of imme-
diate funds from an anonymous investor.
Since then, the nonprofit organization
has worked hard to complete a series of
crucial renovations, including upgrading
ADA plumbing, completely redoing the
electrical, adding a new roof, installing a
new floor and an enormous list of other
projects too long to include.
Through a flurry of grants and
fundraisers, CROW has managed to
beat the odds — staying fiscally
CAM solo
exhibit
features
Kipniss
COOS BAY — Until Feb. 4, the Coos
Art Museum will be hosting a solo exhi-
bition by the internationally acclaimed
fine art printmaker Robert Kipniss.
The exhibition opens with a free recep-
tion for the public at the museum on
Friday, Dec. 9, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The exhibition which takes place in the
museum’s Perkins Gallery will feature
prints in three different media, dry point,
lithography and mezzotint. The exhibi-
tion will also include examples of the
artist’s preliminary drawings and the cop-
per printing plates.
Kipniss, now 85 years of age, resides in
Westchester County, New York, and
maintains a second home/studio in north-
stable — while still providing high-
caliber arts education to children
every spring for free. This fact alone
differentiates the organization from
nearly all other youth arts programs in
the nation, who rely on charging fees
ranging from $250-$400 per child for
participation. CROW doesn’t believe in
that.
Now, partially on it’s way to paying
back the initial $220K investment, the
organization seeks funds to complete the
back third of the property, comprising a
green room, dressing rooms for males
and females, a small restroom and addi-
tional storage for sets, costumes and
props.
As it sits, the building is about two-
thirds complete, so this renovation will
allow the property to operate at peak
capability. For these reasons, this
fundraiser is very important, and CROW
is not shy in asking members of the pub-
lic to make a difference in the lives of
local children, simply by attending the
event and having some sweet and tasty
fun for Valentine’s Day weekend.
Last year’s CROW fundraiser was
western Connecticut.
During his long career he has had over
50 museum exhibitions in some of the
world’s major institutions.
Of the works on display, nine are from
the Permanent Collection of Coos Art
Museum while the drawings, printings
plates and six other works are on loan
from the New York collector James F.
White.
The subjects of Kipniss’ works include
austere limbs of trees in autumn and win-
ter, spare modest houses of simple shapes,
and still life. Though his architectural
depictions hint at the present of human
life, Kipniss’ works are devoid of people.
His artwork explores the effect of light
nearly sold out, so it is best to reserve
your tickets early. Pre-sale tickets are
$22 each, or $40 for a couple. At the
door tickets are $25 each, and $45 for a
couple, upon availability.
Tickets include a large variety of
dessert samples including cakes, pies,
cookies, brownies and “unique”
desserts, live music, the opportunity to
pull a fancy bottle of wine and to bid on
the amazing baskets, prizes and desserts
up for grabs.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
Heard said, “From the very beginning,
CROW has told the world that we are not
your usual children’s theater. Well, this
time, we want you to know that this is
not your usual fundraiser. I’m wondering
how many of you can make it out —
alive?”
The Death by Dessert theme goes
hand-in-hand with CROW’s production
of “The Addams Family,” a darkly comic
musical.
To reserve your ticket for Death by
Dessert, visit www.crowkids.com and
buy online, or contact Melanie Heard at
541-999-8641.
Zoomed view of “Edge of the
Village” by Robert Kipniss
and shadow in muted tones. Kipniss said
that he is trying to capture a moment, an
atmosphere, a quickly passing experi-
ence, not just trees and houses.
Kipniss’ works are an expression of
order and permanence.
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 • A r t s & E nt e r t a i n m e n t • C OAST C ENTRAL •
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