Greybull will have another artistic fundraiser to look forward to this year as Pronghorn Press, a local publishing company, organizes a painted chair project to benefit the Greybull Chamber of Commerce.“I have a relatively low profile as a Greybull business,” says publisher Annette Chaudet, “and I’d like to do something to benefit Greybull and our Chamber which will, in turn, benefit the whole town.”
Chaudet participated in the last chair project herself and has been included in a number of fiberglass animal projects around the region including “Horse of Course” and “Big Horn Magic” in Billings, “Where the Buffalo Roam” in Casper and two of Rawlins’s “Pronghorn Pride” projects in Rawlins. She has also designed a project called “Art of the Books” as a fundraiser for libraries and arts groups all over the country and has written a book on how to put the projects together.
“The chairs seemed to resonate here and this year ‘Sitting Pretty’ will include anything which is intended for sitting which could be chairs, benches, or stools but could also include cushions or even something like a rocking horse. It will be fun to see where the artists’ imaginations take them,” says Chaudet.
Chaudet is asking for “suitable seat” donations. They should be sturdy, not upholstered (though a covered seat on a chair is acceptable) and probably not metal though there are a few styles of older metal chairs that were made to resemble wooden ones that will work. “We need things that have a paintable surface for our artists to work on. Many artists may supply their own seats but we want to have something to offer those who don’t.”
For artists wishing to participate, you can pick up an entry form at the Chamber of Commerce, or call and one will be sent to you. “We need to know how many people want to participate so that we will have display space.” The deadline for entry reservations is March 1. Finished pieces will be delivered no later than May 24. Artists and groups from around the region are invited to participate.
Chaudet will also be looking for some community sponsors to contribute to advertising and the planned posters, tee shirts and the project book she intends to produce. “I’ll also be happy to have a few volunteers when it comes time to place the chairs for display and then to help with the auction!”
“Sitting Pretty’s” pieces will be displayed downtown throughout the summer so that visitors and locals can enjoy them and then will be auctioned at a September event.
“This is a great opportunity for community involvement. I would encourage teachers to have their classes work on chairs. Groups, organizations and businesses as well as individual artists can all become a part of the project. How fun it would be if groups like the Red Hats, the Arts Guild, and Headstart created pieces. It will bring the community together and benefit the community through the Chamber. It’s a win-win event.”
For any questions, entry forms or pick up and delivery information for donated seating contact Annette Chaudet at Pronghorn Press 307-765-2979 or at pronghorn@tctwest.net. The Chamber will also have information sheets and artist forms.
PHOTO: "Aspen 5" by Annette Chaudet is an example of what "Sitting Pretty" is all about.
