January Chase-Away-The-Blahs Party

Artist/instructor Gail McDaniel will host the 12th annual “January Chase-Away-The-Blahs Party” from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 21 (Saturday) at her studio at 529 Bancroft Way in Franklin.  The free event, which helps support arts education in Williamson and Davidson County public schools, will feature a potluck lunch and a live auction. The "Blahs Party" will be hosted by McDaniel with special guests/co-chairwomen The Saucy Sisters (Barbara Nowak and Beverly Wichman).  Attendees can bid on products and services such as a week-long timeshare vacation at an upscale resort anywhere in the world; a private musical performance by multi-platinum songwriter Kenny Durham; and an appearance by Santa Claus. Proceeds from the live auction, along with cash donations, will be used to award grants to Williamson and Davidson County public school teachers for the purchase of much-needed art supplies.  “Students & Friends of Gail McDaniel Award” grants, which are issued through the PENCIL Foundation and FirstBank in Cool Springs, will be presented in February 2011.  Individuals may donate items for the "Blahs Party" and/or make financial donations. Checks should be made payable to the PENCIL Foundation and mailed no later than Jan. 21, 2012 to Gail McDaniel, 529 Bancroft Way, Franklin, TN 37064-2171.  Because the PENCIL Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all donations are 100 percent tax deductible.  McDaniel has raised more than $81,000 for arts education since 2001.  For more information about donating an item, making a cash donation, or attending the “January Chase-Away-The-Blahs Party", call (615) 599-5115 or send an e-mail to gail@gailmcdanielart.com.