BELLE FOURCHE—An afternoon celebrating the arts of every kind took center stage at the Annual Fine Arts Boosters Variety Show and Art Exhibition on March 1. The special event highlighted the various types of fine arts, from drawing, painting, photography and music to poetry and acting. It was all on display.
Fine Arts Boosters (FAB) got its start under a different name. “The Fine Arts Boosters have been around for many, many years—we used to be called Belle Fourche High School Band Parents—but we celebrate all the arts and all the student arts in Belle Fourche,” explained Sharon Thompson, president of FAB. “We used to just focus on high school, but we wanted to expand to include middle school as well.”
Kids and adults alike participated in the Variety Show. Before the start of the performance, tables were set up to give kids the opportunity to create their own artwork or have an artist create artwork on them with the option of face painting.
At various stations around the room, artwork was on display. There was everything from metal art and 3D art to drawings and acrylic and spray paintings and a photo art display. At the beginning of the event, each of the art booths was introduced and the type of art on display was explained by either the artist themselves or the MC for the day, Michael Meemken. Thompson also helped with the introductions.
The money raised throughout the day is for a good cause! “Some community members and some parents—we meet once a month, and we try to help support the students, whether they are public school, private school or homeschooled—it does not matter,” shared Thompson. “Kids under 18 that have a love for the arts, whether they are performing arts, visual arts or reading arts—it doesn’t matter! …So we provide scholarships for camps—summer camps, music camps, theater camps, no art camps yet, but if you are interested, and you find one and you need help funding, we usually provide $200 to $250 per student.”
Thompson went on to explain that FAB raises money all year via concession stand sales and bake sales in addition to this annual fundraiser Variety Show and Art Exhibition.
After meandering around the room and taking in all of the beautiful and unique artwork, everyone’s attention was drawn to the stage for the start of the Variety Show. There was a plethora of live acts performed by both student and community artists. The amazing talent from the Belle Fourche area was on full display. Showcasing the performing arts, acts included singing, guitar and ukulele playing, dance, poetry and dramatic readings, skits and an improv performance.
All the attendees were treated to finger foods and desserts throughout the afternoon along with water and lemonade.
A table displaying all of the raffle items was set up along the back wall. Each attendee received one raffle ticket with the price of entry, with the option of purchasing more for $1 each. Admission was $10 for adults and $5 for children. Each raffle ticket was then dropped into a bucket in front of the desired item. At the end of the day the winning ticket was drawn from each bucket.
Local businesses donated a variety of items that included: Pony Expresso, gift basket; Devil’s Tower Tipi Camping, One Night’s Stay; The Breakfast Club, $20 gift card; Belle Flowers & Co, $35 gift card; Digits Nail Spa, Allure Manicure; Belle Chiropractic, one-hour massage; Prairie Hills Pharmacy, $25 gift certificate; Lynn’s Dakotamart, two $25 gift certificates; Round Up Building Center, $75 gift certificate; The Homestead Store, gift basket; High Mark Credit Union, gift basket; Runnings, gift basket and gift certificate; Quality Quick Print, gift basket; Office Emporium, gift basket; Royal Spraying and Lawn Care, three kids chairs; Budget Appliance, Kitchen and Spice Kit; Napa Auto Parts, Care Car Kit; Posy Palace, candle and $15 gift card and Domino’s, gift card.
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