Speakeasies all but disappeared at the end of the Prohibition era, but last weekend in Bentonville, one was back in full swing.
What started out as a small gathering for parents has turned into something that's truly the cat's meow. Art Experience, an annual fundraiser for Walnut Farm Montessori School in Bentonville, was held at Avondale Chapel in Bentonville last Friday after the winter weather almost put the kibosh on the whole thing.
At A Glance
Art Experience
Who: Walnut Farm Montessori School in Bentonville
What: Annual auction and fundraiser benefiting the school.
When: March 6
Information: walnutfarmmontessor…
"I saw the forecast, so on Monday before the event I contacted all of our volunteers and vendors and set in place a contingency plan," said Dominique Wenninger, parent and event coordinator for Art Experience. "Our caterers went above and beyond to help us out with the last-minute change. They were simply amazing, and we are very grateful."
Walnut Farm's Art Experience began as an auction in a barn showcasing the art created by children at the school and has grown into a full costumed experience for more than 200 people, including parents, teachers, administrators and volunteers, she said.
Partygoers attended in full 1920s attire, ready to party in the chapel-turned-speakeasy. Lights were set low, and black and white fabric draped every surface. Candelabras, feathers, beads and flowers adorned each table and were provided by decorator and parent Erin Downs.
Vendors and waitstaff made their way through the guests, serving a variety of foods provided by Baller and Rub BBQ food trucks and Meatball Planet.
Flappers noshed on brisket sliders, vegetarian and chicken tacos, beef meatballs, mac and cheese, risotto, Thanksgiving and cheeseburger balls. For dessert, CMS Bakery Solutions offered a variety of cupcakes, and bootleggers helped themselves to a serve-yourself Hershey's candy bar.
Guests were entertained by caricaturist Jon Huckeby, a photo booth provided by Dancenhance and music by the JM Band.
When not eating, dancing or simply having a swanky good time, guests perused the silent auction, which was full of unconventional items.
Parents bid on "dates" with teachers, including "Knitting With Ms. Mary," "Jumping With Ms. Amy," and "Rock Climbing With Mr. Tony." Teachers also provided art for the auction. "Mr. Tim" auctioned off his wire creations. Parents could bid for small jobs at the school for their children.
"The teachers were very supportive, and the children will love their teacher dates," Wenninger said. "These are very, very special."
More typical auction items were available too, including a Keurig starter kit and Trike Theatre gift certificate. Larger items were also sold, the biggest ticket item being an apartment for seven nights in Provence, France, which sold for $1,800.
Student art was also on display and available for purchase, and these labors of love didn't go cheap.
"Each class creates a class project, which makes every child in the class contribute," Wenninger said. "That makes it very special, and makes it a challenging project for the teachers and room moms to manage. But the children love it. One of the pieces of art by the 9- to 12-year-olds sold for $1,000, which was an incredible achievement for them."
Walnut Farm Montessori School was founded in 1991 and is the only Montessori school accredited by the American Montessori Society in the area, she said. The school employs 19 staff for around 100 children.
The aim of Art Experience is to raise money for families of students attending the school, she said.
"We want to be able to provide financial aid to families and to do this along with meeting basic operational costs," Wenninger said. "We also wish to continue developing the school. Without the additional funds raised, we would not be able to do any of these things."
Allison Carter can be reached [email protected] or at @NWAAllison.
NAN Profiles on 03/15/2015