Merrill Gardens hosts art show

Staff Reports

Merrill Gardens at Gardnerville raised $1,000 for the Alzheimer's Association at the Annual Garden House Art Show on Sept. 6. The art show featured dozens of artworks created by the residents and staff of the community's Alzheimer's/Dementia Memory Care Assisted Living. More than 200 guests visited and viewed the art.

The artworks were available for visitors to take home for a donation to the Alzheimer's Association. Four framed pieces were auctioned off through a silent auction and there was a raffle drawing. The money raised at the event added to Team Merrill Gardens for the 2008 Capital City Memory Walk benefiting the Alzheimer's Association.

"This is a very special event that allows us to show off the many talents of our residents and help in finding a cure by raising funds for Alzheimer's research," said Grace Lenning, garden house supervisor. "We do a variety of art classes and projects throughout the year and it is truly amazing to see what our residents create and it's so much fun sharing their gifts and talents with the rest of the community."

Area frame shops donated matting and framing for the event. Artist J. Renee Ekleberry of FastFrame in Minden, donated most of the matting and the framing for the three silent auction artworks done by the residents. She also donated one of her own pieces for the silent auction. Each of those items sold for $100 or more.

Lone Tree Gallery and Framing in Minden, Marv's Custom Framing in Gardnerville, FastFrame in Carson City and Michael's Arts & Craft Store in Carson City all donated matting.

"We want to thank the community for helping us out with the mats and frames," said Community Relations Director Corneil Vacirca. "We approached them for donations in these tough economic times, and they came through big time for us. It just goes to show what a great, supportive community we have here Douglas County."