Merryhill Child Care Center Gala Art Exhibit And Auction

Merryhill Child Care Center, a nonprofit child care center serving Newtown and the surrounding communities, is hosting an art auction on Friday May 2, at 6:30 pm, at the Fireside Inn in Newtown. Paintings from area artists, as well as hand-signed lithographs will be available for the bidding. Tickets for admission are available in advance for $10, and will also be sold at the door. All proceeds will go toward a down payment to purchase the building the center is located in on Queen Street.

“We emphasize the arts in our classrooms by providing many opportunities for the children to be creative,” said Cheri Ross, chairperson of the fundraising committee. “They draw, paint, color, and sculpt on a daily basis. It seemed only fitting for Merryhill to conduct a fundraiser that would bring art into the community, too.”

The evening will start at 6:30 with a preview of works of art to be auctioned. Complimentary refreshments will be served, and a cash bar will be open. Artwork will be displayed for people to view before the bidding begins at 7:30. All of the art will be framed and ready to hang.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal will be honored at the auction for his support of Merryhill as a nonprofit provider of child care services.

“Herb has been so supportive over the years that we wanted to recognize him, and thank him for his commitment to our program,” said Patricia Harrity, president of the Board of Directors for Merryhill.

Mr Rosenthal has participated in a variety of activities important to the center, including a garden dedication ceremony honoring Merryhill’s founding director Therese Hychko, who passed away two years ago. He has also been involved in discussions supporting the sale of the center’s facility at 49 Queen Street, currently owned by the State of Connecticut, to the nonprofit organization as a means of sustaining this resource close to the center of town.

In addition to the professional prints that will be auctioned off, some paintings by the students of Merryhill will be available for sale. Each classroom (infant, toddler, and preschool) will create two canvas paintings that will be framed and sold at the auction.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Ms Harrity at 270-8966.