For Arts and Heritage St. Albert, the main course in 2010 was so good it only whetted its appetite for the second helping coming up next month.
The non-profit custodian and manager of the city’s art gallery, museum and heritage sites has announced a new heritage dinner is set for Friday, Jan. 20. The first one, held last fall, was an initial attempt to raise the profile and boost public consciousness of the city’s history and culture, specifically in regard to the Chevigny House project.
Organizers fully intend for the second one to build on that momentum while directing the spotlight towards the Little White School.
“We want to raise the profile of heritage in our community,” began Paul Moulton, the organization’s executive director.
He admitted that the annual event took a little time off because 2011 “was an extremely busy year in our community with all of the celebrations.”
The school is an iconic landmark in the city, first operating in 1948. Since its last official classes were held in 1987, the structure gradually fell into disuse and disrepair. Arts and Heritage, however, brought it back to life with numerous educational programs that reach thousands of children from St. Albert, Edmonton and surrounding areas every year. It is still the oldest standing educational facility in the city and one of the oldest in the province.
With an eye to preserving its structural integrity as much as its legacy, the organization embarked upon a restoration project last year. Significant exterior work has already been completed, but a major internal upgrade to make the building universally accessible still remains. Funds raised throughout the evening support this project.
Moulton said that attendees should expect a lively affair.
“Notwithstanding the fact that we have an important message and story to tell, it should be done in a very entertaining way. Counter to the suggestion that museums and heritage might be dry and dull, we will make this a highly entertaining evening,” he promised.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the banquet hall of the newly renovated and reopened St. Albert Curling Club. The evening will feature cocktails, a catered dinner and a glimpse into St. Albert’s past.
Tickets are $100 each ($750 for a table of eight) or $90 for members, and can be purchased either at the Arts and Heritage office at 20 Perron Street or at the Musée Héritage Museum in St. Albert Place.
Call 780-651-0198 or visit www.museeheritage.com for more information.
