By Chris Bavender
What do you get when you combine art, history and classic cars? An evening of fun for all at the inaugural Garden Classics. Set for 6 to 9 p.m. June 14, the event is a fundraiser for the SulivanMunce Cultural Center.
“It would be great if we could raise $15,000 – it’s a bold number but it would allow us to continue to do all our programming,” Melissa Fanning
development coordinator and museum director, said. “One such program is where we have volunteers go to all the third-grade classrooms and teach them Zionsville history. It would also allow those same students to come to our organization on their annual field trip.”
Funds raised also will go toward upkeep of the museum’s large collection of documents and artifacts from Zionsville and Boone County, as well as the genealogy library – which is free of charge. The money also would be used to help keep the art center viable.
The idea for the event came from museum board members Steve Tarr and Diane Jackson who started brainstorming how to tie art, history and classic cars together – definitely not the typical combination.
“We are a three-prong organization – a genealogy library, an art center and then the museum, so it really all ties in,” Fanning said. “Art ties in to what we are, the history aspect of cars is very interesting, and we figured this would be something more appealing to a male audience for a change versus always doing something that appeals to the women.”
One such way – a two-week exhibit of a 1923 Stutz HCS Model 6 Touring car.
“It will have a list of the four owners it’s had over the years so that ties into our genealogy function,” Fanning explained. “The current owner, William Greer, has graciously allowed us to have the car here and we plan to offer photos in front of it as party favors that night. I really think it will be one of the highlights of the evening.”
Attendees will also be treated to 10 vintage classic cars by Indiana Region of the Classic Car Club of America, automotive art by Tom Hale and plein air paintings by national artist John Budicin. Live jazz music will be provided by The Brick Street Quartet – which is comprised of Zionsville college students “with quite the following.”
Tickets for Garden Classics are $30 for museum members and $35 for non-members. For more information call 873-4900.