The mugs are fired and the music is tuned for the Vernon Community Arts Centre’s new fundraiser Mugs & Music.
On Saturday, April 30, more than 300 unique mugs, handmade by local potters, will be available for purchase, followed by an afternoon of live music performed by local musicians.
“After years of supplying Vernon with handmade bowls and Irish stew during the annual Empty Bowl event, we thought it was time for a change,” said VCAC manager Terry Dunstan. “Now people will have a chance to match up their bowls with some mugs.”
The idea for Mugs & Music stemmed from the success of the Culture Days Coffee House the VCAC hosted in September.
“We had a lot of really positive feedback from our coffee house. It was a great platform for artists and musicians to come together at the Arts Centre. Afterwards we thought, ‘Why not do this again? Why not make this an even bigger event?’ And here we are,” said Dunstan.
Doors to Mugs & Music open Saturday at 1 p.m. and the public is invited to enter and choose their favourite handmade mug; first come, first pick. All are encouraged to arrive early as a lineup at the door is expected.
All mugs are $20 and there is no limit to how many can be bought. All who purchase a mug are welcome to the coffee house-style studio afterwards to enjoy food, drinks and live local music with local performers Shaughnessy Rose, Jim Lagerquist, Keyanna Burgher and Lowell Friesen.
“We’d like to thank all of our generous sponsors for all their help in making this fundraiser happen,” said Dunstan. “We’d also like to thank the many volunteers at the Arts Centre, including the talented local potters who spent countless hours creating these gorgeous mugs.”
All proceeds from the event go towards purchasing a new kiln for the VCAC, located at the east entrance to Polson Park.
For more information, visit www.vernonarts.ca.