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Rose Center is excited to announce the 5th Annual Midsummer Social event, coming Friday, July 14 at 5:30pm. The fast-paced evening will include live jazz and a live auction, all to raise funds for youth arts education programs.

Tickets for this event are limited, because every ticket holder will go home with an original work of art. The $50 tickets may be purchased by phone, online, or in person. The Midsummer Social, sponsored by Visions by Vicki, Tarr Chevrolet/Hyundai, Morristown Utilities, Sellars Gas Appliance, McKenna Orthodontics, Apothic Tatoo, GFWC Ladies Reading Circle and Soma Sala Circle, and Goodwater Winery, has become a major fundraiser for Rose Center.

“We appreciate the generous donations of artwork that make this such a special fundraiser,” said Beccy Hamm, Executive Director. “This year we have donations by new artists, and a nice variety, such as pottery, needle felting, and jewelry, in addition to paintings.” Numbers will be randomly assigned to the pieces and matched with the ticket of the same number.

Making their debut, the Gentlemen of Jazz will entertain guests while they look over the auction items and the artwork, and enjoy the food and cash bar. The group consists of friends from several states who have collaborated over the past few years and created a unique sounding jazz combo especially for this Midsummer Social. The players are: Stu Green (guitar), Morristown; Pete Pemberton (drum set), Cincinnati; Dan Couch (bass), Nashville, formerly of Morristown; Todd DeMaria (trumpet), Dandridge, formerly from St. Petersburg, FL; and P.J. Anderson (trombone), Bean Station, formerly from Nassjo, Sweden.

Ritchie Broyles, of Broyles Real Estate & Auction, will be providing the live auction of a select number of items.

Most items will be included in a silent auction available throughout the evening. The auction will include gift baskets, gift certificates, a private dinner party, a Paint-n-Sip party, UT Football tickets, and much more. Something new this year is the addition of live painting demonstrations by local artists. The pieces created will be auctioned at the end of the evening.

This event is organized by members of the Artists Advisory Council: Peggy Brewer, Christina Mahan, Dan Gibson, Vicki Kinser, Deirdre McAdams, Carol Rouse, and along with board member Debra Williams, and staff members Diana Duarte and Beccy Hamm. Appetizers will be donated by Aubrey’s and Food City. A cash bar will be available.

Rose Center, located at 442 W 2nd North Street in Morristown, is open 9-5, Monday through Friday. Rose Center is a Designated Agency of the Tennessee Arts Commission and a United Way Agency.

More information about the Midsummer Social and other upcoming Rose Center events is available online or by calling 423-581-4330.