Saturday, September 23, 7 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
Twenty-four unique, artistically enhanced bodices are currently being showcased in Quad Cities galleries, venues, and businesses, and on September 23, these hand-crafted works will be auctioned off in a special event designed to raise funds for the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative.
Expanding the organization's ovarian-cancer awareness and education efforts with the help of local artisans, NormaLeah's community-wide Bodice Project found two dozen artists enlisted to fashion one-of-a-kind, hand-stitched bodices that have been on display since August 15, and will continue to be until September 20. Some can be found at area art galleries, among them Carolyn Krueger's bodice for The ARTery, Pat Beréskin's creation for her Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy, and the Quad City Arts Center's contribution by Julie Smith, Cecelia O'Brien, and Tashonda Chambers. Nearly 20 other bodices, however, are on display at local businesses including Davenport's Necker's Jewelers, the Adler Theatre, Burke Cleaners, and even the River Cities' Reader office.
Contributing talents include such recognized area artists as Megan Quinn, Jeanne O'Melia, and Teresa Mesich, and all four 24 bodices will be auctioned off in the Figge's Bodice Project Auction Party, an event also featuring live music, hors d'oeuvres, and TV host Paula Sands – herself a cancer survivor – serving as emcee.
Self-guided tour maps to the area's 24 bodices, and a full list of participating artists and businesses, can be found at NormaLeah.org, and tickets to the auction party are available by calling (309)794-0009 or visiting Shop.NormaLeah.org.
