By Cassidy Grom | Echo
Head to the Common Grounds coffee shop this month and feed your body as well as your soul.
Common Grounds is one of a few nearby eateries that features local artists' work. Each artists work rotates regularly between six different restaurants as part of the "Arts and Eatz" trail. The ongoing events will conclude on Oct. 29 at a gala and art auction.
The "Arts and Eatz" program began in March in order to promote and support local artists and restaurants. Six coffee shops and restaurants are participating: Common Grounds in Hartford City, Grains and Grill in Fairmont, The Bridge in Upland, Toppit Pizza in Gas City, Essen House in Converse and Payne's in Gas City.
Patrons are invited to grab an "Arts and Eatz" card at any participating restaurant and get it signed by a waiter or waitress at each. Later they can go to the gala, where they can use the card to win door prizes and coupons.
Artists hang their work in hopes someone will enjoy or purchase their pieces.
"When restaurants display art, often only the restaurant is the benefactor," event coordinator LaRea Slater said. "Several of these people make their living with their art; this is a way of hopefully getting some sales for some of the artists."
Steven Curtis is one of the painters participating in the program.
Curtis doesn't paint for the money-he is a full-time video freelancer-but one of his smaller pieces sold while it hung in Payne's. When a piece sells, restaurant owners get a 30 percent commission. Their rate is not bad compared to the 50 percent art galleries usually take, according to Curtis.
This month, Curtis's oil on wood paintings are on display at Common Grounds. The blue and green colors and abstract themes complement the orange and yellow walls. The restaurant is known for its homemade soup, but now it can also be known for Curtis's thin but never gloppy paint strokes.
"You can run your hand over my painting and not feel a thing," Curtis said.
Katie Rich, owner of Common Grounds, said the program took a while to catch on, but has recently brought in a large number of customers from Upland and Gas City.
Curtis said that while central Indiana isn't a "hot spot" for visual art, it is between many major cities that are.
In Upland, The Bridge now displays Taylor First Lady MaryLou Habecker's artwork. She will be at The Bridge today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for an opening reception. Cards and prints featuring her art will be on sale with the profits benefiting the TU Student Emergency Assistance Fund.
Curtis, Habecker and other local artists will auction their work at the gala. Slater estimates bids will range from $50 to $500-but all are welcome to attend and enjoy the live music.
The gala is at the Grains and Grill restaurant in Fairmont and dinner costs $20. For the dedicated patrons who visited every restaurant-and can prove it with their "Arts and Eatz" cards-raffle prizes include T-shirts and puzzles that feature various local artwork. Dinner starts at 4:30 p.m. with the auction at 5:30 p.m.
After the gala, the "Arts and Eatz" trail will end for four months but will resume in March 2016 with new art in the rotation.
Those interested in attending the gala should contact Slater at lareaslat@gmail.com to reserve their spots.
