oyster roast

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Holly Fesperman LeeSalisbury Post
Oysters paired with the Waterworks Visual Arts Center was a great combination for the 500-plus people who turned out for the center’s annual fundraiser Saturday night.
The Oyster Roast, presented by Shari and Bill Graham and sponsored by Cloninger Ford-Toyota-Scion, F&M Bank, Lynn and Fred Dula, KMD Construction, Tracy and John McMillin and Jayne and Rodney Queen, will benefit the center’s education and outreach programs.
With a sellout crowd at $50 a ticket, the money raised could add up to more than $27,000.
Early in the night, Waterworks Executive Director Anne Scott Clement said response to the event was phenomenal.
“We’ve had people arriving since six o’clock,” she said.
“We’re just thrilled with ticket sales; they far exceeded our expectations,” said Tracy McMillin, event committee co-chair. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to get together and support the arts.”
Bob and Mary Roakes were enjoying oysters, shrimp, corn on the cob and more at a small table in the corner of the F&M Trolley Barn next to Waterworks on East Liberty Street.
“We love oysters, plus it’s supporting Waterworks,” Bob said.
Bob and Mary said they visit Waterworks often and enjoy the student exhibits.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for children, for adults, for everybody,” Mary said. “The community needs to take advantage of it more.”
Katy Temple said the Oyster Roast is always fun, and Waterworks is a great thing to support.
“It’s wonderful for Salisbury to have,” she said.
Temple said Salisbury is becoming an arts community and Waterworks is a big part of increasing that image.
In addition to its value in helping attract more artists to Salisbury, “it’s good for children,” she said.
“There’s a lot of things Waterworks does that people don’t realize,” Temple said.
She explained that Waterworks takes its van into parts of the community where children are more at-risk and puts on programs for those who don’t have the resources to come to the center and take art classes.
Janet Jarrell and her husband were attending Saturday’s event on the advice of a work partner.
Jarrell said she hadn’t been to Waterworks in a long time but “I was really intrigued to see some of the things they have.”
She said her daughter was very interested in art and “I’m actually going to bring her now that we’ve seen it.”
Alan Burke, president of the Waterworks board of directors, wrote in a press release that the center was off to a great start in 2008.
“We are going to emphasize education in all that we do. Our efforts will be directed to children of all ages and economic levels, including special populations, at-risk youth, as well as continuing education for adult learners through special needs workshops,” he wrote.
“Our exhibition component remains a basic part of our mission and is an essential element in our educational programming. It is also a wonderful avenue of welcoming the community to gather at openings to learn more about and enjoy the art on display. It is a benefit, if you will, of this organization, bringing in art and artists for all of us to enjoy and appreciate,” Burke wrote.Contact Holly Lee at 704-797-7683 or hlee@salisburypost.com.