ArtBeat on Main Street’s Chairs for Charity Endeavor Featured on KOCT

ArtBeat on Main Street:

Giving back to community is the subject of the ArtBeat on Main Street feature on KOCT’s July 2013 “Oceanside Spectrum” hosted by Elaine Swann. The show airs throughout the month on KOCT TV and on-demand at http://koct.org/video/detail/oceanside_spectrum_july_2013.

ArtBeat on KOCT centers on the Chairs for Charity program being coordinated by the co-op gallery at 330 Main Street in downtown Vista; in collaboration with Jeff Underdahl Real Estate, Staged4Sale and The Wellness Center, all of whom donated chairs being painted by artists. The program raises funds for art supplies to be used in Vista schools and other local educational establishments.

ArtBeat co-owners Kris Petersen and Kait Matthews say, “We are grateful to KOCT for providing a forum that showcases so many good things being accomplished by nonprofit partnerships throughout North County. Art has been a victim of many years of budget woes in the schools. The proceeds of Chairs for Charity will help ameliorate this problem and encourage creativity. Art has been shown to be an important part of the curriculum, enhancing students’ academic performance.”

Unique indoor and outdoor chairs and ensembles beautifully embellished by area artists generated widespread interest when they debuted at Main Street establishments during the June 26th Taste of Vista presented by the Vista Village Business Association (VVBA) in association with the City of Vista and Vista Chamber of Commerce. More chairs are on display throughout the City. 

ArtBeat has additional chairs available for artists to paint, or people can obtain their own. Chairs will be accepted until July 27th. They will be auctioned off at the  Vista Smokin’ BBQ Cookoff on August 3rd. For more information, email ArtinVista@gmail.com or call ArtBeat at 760-295-3118.

As they begin their second year of business this July in what they describe as “a reinvigorated downtown,” Petersen and Matthews say, “We greatly enjoy our partnerships with local businesses, nonprofits such as KOCT, the VVBA, Vista Chamber and Vista Soroptimists, and with the entire area we serve. Together, we are raising community involvement to an art!”