The importance and willingness to give back is basic to what the group of stagers in Stage it Forward are all about. Its so basic, that in the group's short description here on Active Rain, the words "share" or "sharing" is used in 3 separate places.
For me however, Stage It Forward is more than just helping other stagers grow their businesses... for me, Stage It Forward meant using my time, talent and treasure to benefit my community. So at Real Estaging, our current Stage It Forward effort centers around the creation of a spectacular community wide fund raising event for Brickton Art Center... a WONDERFUL not-for profit organization (grounded in outreach) in Park Ridge Illinois.
This year we helped re-invent and invigorate Brickton's Artistic Living event by refining it and adding a Tour of Homes. With a goal to raise $20,000, here is what we have been working on and organizing since last summer...
The Artistic Living Tour of Homes event will revolve around art galleries featured within each room of a newly constructed home (donated for the weekend of May 18th - 20th by Tim Metropolis of TMM Development Corporation and listed with Gretchen Gullo of Coldwell Banker) in Park Ridge. This beautiful constructed Arts & Crafts style home will be the Gallery House where its interior spaces will be transformed and feature the creative works of both artist and designer. This house will also host the: Gallery 1033 Cocktail Party - a unique themed grand opening cocktail party and event night, and Silent Auction Room - featuring a variety of donated artistic objects, gifts and other items from local businesses.
In addition to the primary Gallery House, this tour will also feature several other beautifully designed homes of Park Ridge. Residents are opening the doors of their houses to be featured as homes on the tour. Craig Interior Design (our sister design studio) is helping to stage & stylize homes with FREE design advice and help prior to the event.
The final fun new twist is that Brickton is commissioning a special gallery exhibit entitled The Doors of Park Ridge. This show will feature and exhibit the artistic interpretations of doors of homes, schools, shops, or churches etc. throughout Park Ridge, as seen through the eyes of and created by local children.
The whole event is designed so that whether donating "BIG" or donating "SMALL" of one's time, talent and treasure, we have created many ways for others to experience the joy of giving and share in this wonderful event. I really hope all my Illinois Active Rain colleagues can stop by and see the power and what is possible when you Stage It Forward.
Comments(10)