HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Julie-Anna Carlisle, the owner and artist of Milkweed Health & Harmony Emporium, is channeling her passion for art to help raise money to benefit victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through The Chair Project.

Local aspiring artists are able to submit refurbished, artistically designed chairs for an auction, with all proceeds going to Sanctuary Inc., a domestic violence and crisis shelter in Hopkinsville.

“The Chair Project idea came from a similar art chair auction we attended about 20 years ago in Paducah,” said Carlisle. “We purchased a chair upholstered to look like the lips and tongue image associated with The Rolling Stones…I thought what a fascinating concept for a silent art auction, and I’m going to keep this in my back pocket.”

She explained that The Chair Project will focus on the theme of ‘support’ as artists put effort into building or altering a chair to their artistic style. The chairs themselves will be both functional and symbolic of support and rest. There are already 32 local submissions as of March 11. Participants range from high school clubs, college art students, local businesses and more.

“I’m just amazed at the support,” she told Christian County Now. “My heart wants to explode with such pride in this community.”

Sanctuary Inc. collaborations

Carlisle said she has been collaborating with Sancturary Inc. for over 20 years, first starting out in 2001 leading art expression groups once a week. Now, she frequently partners with director Heather Lancaster on programs, raising awareness and fundraising.

“Getting to help these women express themselves through art was an amazing experience,” she said. “It was a type of art therapy for them, but I think I was equally blessed by getting to know them and learning more about Sanctuary and its important mission.”

She hopes that increased knowledge about Sanctuary will spread the word about their services. Based in Hopkinsville, the organization currently serves 14 counties by providing shelter, therapy, and services to women and children in crisis. “Domestic violence and sexual assault are an epidemic, and victims need to know about these services,” said Carlisle.

|RELATED STORY: Owner of Milkweed in Hopkinsville collaborates with community to create rejuvenating space

Guidelines, prizes, auction date

Chairs that are submitted must have an artsy, functional design that can be used to sit on or to hold something, such as a plant. Each entry must have clear elements of alterations done by the submitting artist. People interested in creating a chair must submit an entry form by April 1. All chair entries must be delivered to Milkweed between April 16-17 during business hours. For a full list of guidelines and details, visit the Milkweed website.

Along with the auction, cash prizes will be awarded to artists. $300 for best of show, $150 to the runner up, $75 honorable mention, and a $75 gift basket for the entry receiving the highest bid. The money for these prizes will be raised from outside donors, and judging will be done by local judges.

The Silent Auction and public viewing of the chairs will take place on April 18 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Milkweed Health & Harmony Emporium, 202 East Ninth Street. Anyone with questions can call Julie-Anna at 270-719-0951, or email thechairproject4Sanctuary@gmail.com.

| DON’T MISS A STORY: Click here to sign up for our free weekly email newsletter