MEET THE GANG...

Sorry, life super-ceded you getting to meet the entire mannequin gang earlier from the $13,000 + fundraising efforts of Light Up a Life for individuals with Down Syndrome and Developmental Disabilities which was held in the beautiful historic art deco Winona National Bank in downtown Winona, Minnesota on October 18th.


String music resounded from the second floor balcony provided by Betsy Neil and the Winona Fiddlers. BTW many guests took advantage of visiting the little museum upstairs in the bank...

A big shout out to Bubs Brewing Company for a savory delicious appetizer buffet!

 Greeting the guests our ticket takers explained the bidding procedure and handed out bidding numbers with possibilities for raffle prizes.

The mannequins all have new homes now. But let me introduce them in their order of appearance on the runway that evening.

Mrs. Peacock, a Sheryl Miller creation... you will see more.

Garden Party by ORC Industries followed...

AND  Erstwilla by Christine Petersen  steam punked the runway with her intricate detail...

































another of Sheryl Miller's creations Crystal Clear who usually works Vegas stages knew how to move it...










Dana ( far left below) by DAC's Andrew Ohlsen and Sara Boucher had 'butterflies awaiting her turn ...

Jewel Du Mississippi by yours truly added her own bling to the                                                      evening.

                           Into the Woods by Sarah Johnson

Sheryl also added her creativity to Huntington Beach Surfer  equipped with surfboard and all...

                                   
                                                    Fast Eydie
       by 
Marilyn Ezdone




Fast Eydie's hair lit up and her outfit is made of duct tape sponsored by Fastens where the artist's Dad worked for many years.

Those small bolts did fasten that dress together as the business implies...  









                      

                  
  Hope by Eric Decker and Miriam Ratering

                                   Wenonah by Mary Singer

          and last but not least, my favorite, Lady of the Woods 
                                          by Cynthia Jennings

If she could have lived in my garden, she definitely would have gone home with me!

As you can see all of the mannequins were very unique and their artists used many different mediums.  They earned every single penny they made for the fundraiser and more.  A big thanks to all the artists.

Thanks to all the donors who also gave on different levels:
 Impressionism $750
 Surrealism $500
Abstract Expressionsim $250
Art Noveau $200 and under
and in kind donations... 

And a huge kudos to the Event Chairpersons Sheryl Miller and Jane Bremer and their committee for giving of their time and giving such a very important gift to the community. All monies go to Winona DAC, ORC Industries, Home and Community Options, INC and DSAW/La Crosse.

*A special addendum to those who donated jewelry to my creation of Belle Jewel du Mississippi.  You helped make her what she is today...

** Thanks also to buddies Lynn, Nancy, Joanie, Judy and Bert for making the trek to enjoy the festivities!