Guelcher leads planning for Art Royale 2008

Scott Guelcher When it came to choosing a chairperson for the Alliance for the Arts annual signature fundraiser, Art Royale, there was only one obvious choice.

Scott Guelcher has been a supporter of the Alliance for several years, director of the 2008 Summer Arts Camp and has been an artist-participant in the event for the past two years. He's been hard at work this summer, organizing nearly a dozen committees, arranging for vendors such as culinary artists, and getting all the details in order for Lee County's premier outdoors evening art event. Art Royale 2008 is Nov. 22.

But it's more fun than work, Guelcher said.

"The Alliance is my home away from home and I would do anything to make it a successful place for artists in the local community," he said.

This year the event's theme is "Lost in Translation," which will be interpreted and presented by dancers, musical performers, painters, video artists, and culinary artists such as Bistro 41 and The Flying Pig. Also, included in the event will be a silent auction to raise money for the Alliance, the designated arts agency in Lee County.

"The Alliance campus will be transformed into a mix of cultures, languages, tastes, and art installations," Guelcher said. "Our goal is to captivate guests by forcing them to participate in and 'translate' the meaning of each piece of artistic expression."

Art Royale 2008 will be full of music, great food and drink, visual arts, dance, and everything for the art lover.

Tickets are $75 each or two for $125 in advance, and $100 at the door. They can be purchased by calling the Alliance (239) 939-2787 or visit the Art Royale Web site at www.artroyale. org