Creating a Culinary Canvas

The artists aren't starving, but a conglomeration of area painters has given its work to help those who are.

In efforts to fight hunger, the West Texas Food Bank holds its annual Culinary Canvas Gala fund-raiser on Tuesday evening - those who attend the esculent event can leave with auctioned artwork and satisfied stomachs.

Several participating restaurants will serve up their locally cooked cuisine as the live sounds of "Shades" entertain the audience.
West Texas Food Bank Executive Director Hyta Folsom said the gala mixes art with appetizing dishes and then sends guests home with recipe cards of the tasty meals.

"It's sort of like a mini-taste off," she said. "Different restaurants will give us a recipe and prepare a dish, and you can go taste it."
Past the plate, about 20 paintings and prints will be on display for viewing pleasure and then bidding competition. Hanway Auctioneers and Liquidators, a professional Odessa auctioneer, will facilitate the live artwork auction, which is the highlight of the evening, Folsom said.

"We get hot and heavy on some of them," she said.

A photo of each painting will also front the recipe cards for a miniature edition worth collecting and cooking.

Stacy Peterson, an Odessa artist known for her illustration of Madonna's children's book, "The English Roses: Too Good to be True," and works in the "American Girl" series, decided to contribute to Culinary Canvas.

She donated an acrylic painting titled, "Chocolate," which features a cupcake, a doughnut, chocolate kisses, a cookie and a chocolate bunny.

"This is the first time in a long time that I've picked up a paintbrush," she said. "It's for a good cause, and I just thought it would be a fun thing to do.

"I'm curious to see how well it does in the auction," she said.

Alpine artist June Cobb said she also donated a painting for the gala fund-raiser and may make the drive to attend.

"The food bank is just a worthy cause, and there are a lot of worthy people out here that need help - I feel like it's our Christian duty to help them," she said.

Folsom said the Culinary Canvas is the Food Bank's only board fund-raiser, and she hopes to top last year's attendance of about 250. The nonprofit organization provides food to a network of 170 different agencies from its central receiving warehouse.

"This year we hope it to be better. Our goal is $60,000, but if we get more, we'll take it," she said. "It's going to be used for the general operation to keep the Food Bank open, purchasing food, transportation and those type of things."

The work of talented artists and home cooking provides a fun night for those who attend the gala while assuring that the food bank is able to continue feeding the needy.

"It makes an awful lot of difference to a lot of people," Folsom said. "Even with the economy the way it is, there are still people here who are hungry."

ON THE NET:
>> West Texas Food Bank:
www.wtxfoodbank.org

WANT TO GO?

>> The Culinary Canvas Gala fund-raiser for the West Texas Food Bank is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Commemorative Air Force Museum Hangar, 9600 Wright Drive at the Midland International Airport.
>> Tickets are $40 each.
>> Artwork will be available for purchase in a live and silent auction.
>> Call
580-6333.

WANT TO HELP?

>> Food donations and monetary gifts are accepted at West Texas Food Bank, 1008 E. Second St., or mailed to P.O. Box 4242, Odessa.
>> Call 580-6333.

WHO'S SERVING?
The following restaurants will serve up their tasty creations:

>> Fat Jack's Bakery.
>> Gerardo's Casita.
>> Buffalo Wild Wings.
>> Zucchi's Ristorante.
>> The Garlic Press.
>> The Barn Door Steakhouse.
>> Mi Milo's Restaurant.
>> La Margarita Mexican Food.
>> The Cake Box.
>> H-E-B Deli, bakery and seafood.