Chair Affair Fundraiser - Tacoma Art Museum

Thursday night was the NW Furniture Bank fundraiser at the Tacoma Art Museum. Over 300 guests and artists were present at the lavish affair...  I went to the event with Judy Cook who also prepared a chair.  Even though my chair only had one bid in the silent auction - some chairs had none and some quickly went for the value set by the artist. 

My chair was named Cat Zen... the painting on the silk was not how I imaged it but the chair looked nice... it was more subtle than I intended.

Dear Chair Affair Artists -

Thank you for contributing your time and efforts to create the wonderful chairs that were the backbone of our event last night. I loved meeting most of you, and watching people delight in the variety and creativity of the chairs offered. Some chairs sold with one bid, some with a guaranteed bid - but ALL were an important part of the overall auction.

It was a fun and exciting evening, and I hope you were able to also catch the vision for the work of the NW Furniture Bank which was the beneficiary of the proceeds. I have not heard the final numbers, but I know that we funded hope and furniture for MANY MANY families last night.

We look forward to doing this again next year! We certainly would appreciate any ideas/suggestions you may for have for next time, and thank you again for your chairs!! You will be receiving a receipt for your donation in the near future.

Chair Affair March 4th TAM Museum NW Furniture Bank Fundraiser

A note from the contact artists:

Dear artists -



Wow, the Chair Affair is this Thursday at the Tacoma Art Museum!! We are so excited to see you that evening at 6pm. You don't need a ticket - when you check in at the registration desk they will have your name, a bid packet, and a nametag for you.


Remember, if you bring a guest, they need to purchase a ticket - either via the website (www.chairaffair.org) or at the door.

The chairs will be displayed at the museum on Weds. and Thursday if you have friends who want to see them but cannot come to the evening event.


Thank you SO MUCH for your donations of time, labor, creativity, and love to benefit the NW Furniture Bank. If any of you would like to ever visit the bank for a tour, please let me know! I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.

Chair Affair Project

Completed my Chair Affair Project and delivered it yesterday.. The auction fundraiser for the NW Furniture Bank is held at TAM on March 4th from 6 to 9 pm.

was a little diasppointed as the
painting on the chair skirts did
not come out quite as I had
pictured it in my mind...

Chair Affair chair selection

Went in the crazy torrential downpour this noon to select a free chair at the
NW Furniture Bank: 2650 E. Bay Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 for the Chair Affair fundraiser... 2010 Chair Affair: Furnishing Hope will be held at the Tacoma Art Museum on the evening of March 4th, 2010. This is a fundraiser where artists use a chair/other piece of furniture as a canvass to be displayed in the silent and/or live auction.

So many to choose from! I like the one on the far left and right as I was thinking Sumi-e.

I picked out this one - think black with gold accents, red seat cushion and somehow incorporating some Sumi-e cats...

Here is my selection, resting comfortably for the ride home in my trusty Subaru Outback...

If you have any questions regarding the Artist Guidelines, please call Dion Rurik at 253-229-0269 or e-mail: drurik@gmail.com

We are so excited about our inaugural Chair Affair auction! This unique event will feature artistic chairs and other pieces of furniture created by you to be auctioned off to raise money for the NW Furniture Bank. We are thrilled that you are considering our invitation to create an incredible piece of "furniture art" for this year's Affair!

Directions to the NW Furniture Bank: 2650 E. Bay Street, Tacoma, WA 98421. Take I-5 north and exit at Portland Ave. (exit 134). Turn left at the first light (Portland Ave.)Turn right on E. 26th Street, Follow road around to the right - the bank is the warehouse on the other side of the soccer arena. For a map and other info go to the bank's website: www.nwfurniturebank.org

ART for EQUAL JUSTICE 12.12.09

"Bee" framed 14"X11" in flat black metal Neilson frame with white double mat.

My piece submitted for the benefit auction for Art for Equal Justice to be held on 12/12/2009 at TAM [Tacoma Art Museum] has been accepted.





Great piece, thank you so much! I think the photo is fine for the auction catalog. As long as I have the image, you can deliver anytime before the event that's convenient for you, just let me know. We are here, 715 Tacoma Ave S, 9-5 (except Thanksgiving and the day after). Thanks again for your support, we appreciate it so much! - Laurie

Laurie Davenport Program Director
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Volunteer Legal Services Program
vls@tacomaprobono.org
www.tacomaprobono.org
715 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 572-5134

ART for EQUAL JUSTICE 12.12.09

"Bee" original Sumi-e -

Donation for ART for EQUAL JUSTICE 12.12.09

Saturday, December 12, 2009, Tacoma Art Museum
A gala (black tie optional) evening and art auction to support equal justice programs in Pierce County!

All proceeds benefit the Tacoma-Pierce County Volunteer Legal Services Program, Lawhelp Center, Housing Justice Project and Coordinated Family Law Project. More information about these programs can be found at www.tacomaprobono.org

Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Foundation, Tax ID 02-0596124
715 Tacoma Avenue South, Suite C
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone (253) 572-5134, fax 274-1888, vls@tacomaprobono.org

2010 Chair Affair - Furnishing Hope

I've signed up for this wonderful fundraiser...
2010 Chair Affair will be held at the Tacoma Art Museum on the evening of March 4th, 2010. Artists will be recognized with a photo and bio displayed next to their chair, as well as in several other print locations (like the program).

Chair Affair 2010 - Furnishing Hope

Artist Guidelines:

Please read the following guidelines and keep them in consideration while designing your chair/item. These requirements must be met in order for your chair/other piece of furniture to be displayed in the silent and/or live auction.

1. The item must be fully complete with all items securely attached to it. If a piece of decoration falls off the chair it will be considered broken and will not be displayed.

2. The items must be safe (no broken glass, sharp metal, etc.) and appropriate for viewing by patrons of all ages. Pieces deemed dangerous or inappropriate will not be displayed.

3. The chair/items ideally should be functional and usable in a home or business. If it is not weight bearing and is meant only for decoration please make sure to clearly state that in the chair description.

4. Do not reproduce logos or other copyrighted written material on your piece. However, it is OK to be inspired by other works of art or images in popular culture, as long as you make significant changes in your interpretation of the original.

5. Always bear in mind that your objective is to create a work of art that will raise as much money as possible for the NW Furniture Bank. Themes that appeal to the general public, as well as furniture that is designed specifically for children, most consistently bring in great revenue.

6. Please include your name on the underside of the chair as well as attaching a copy of the Artist Information form to the chair. Be sure both the chair and the form arrive at NW Furniture Bank by Friday, February 5th, 2010.

7. The NW Furniture Bank is a non-profit organization and the money and time you spend designing the chair is tax deductible. Please save your receipts--we will provide a receipt letter to verify your donation after the event.

8. You will receive one free ticket and the opportunity to purchase additional tickets to Chair Affair 2010 upon return of your chair/furniture piece. Please invite and encourage others to purchase tickets to the Affair.

9. If you decide not to create a piece for Chair Affair 2010, please notify us no later than Dec. 1st, and arrange to return your selected item for use by another artist.

10. If you have any questions regarding the Artist Guidelines, please call Dion Rurik at 253-229-0269 or e-mail: drurik@gmail.com