Jacksonville Symphony Guild Designer Showhouse 2011 committee to feature drawing for unique painted violin by Christine Henderson Schmidt
Jacksonville, FL – March 4, 2011 – The Jacksonville Symphony Guild will feature a variety of fund-raising events to benefit the Jacksonville
Symphony Orchestra at the 2011 Designer Showhouse. The Showhouse will be held from Saturday, April 2 until Sunday, April 24 at 9433 Coxwell Lane in Jacksonville.
The newest addition to this year’s fundraising efforts will be a unique, painted violin by renowned artist Christine Henderson Schmidt, a
Jacksonville civic leader who many remember as a “Renaissance Woman” of her time, according to Rose Littlefield and Marge Burgess, Symphony Designer Showhouse co-chairs. Schmidt organized many civic and charitable events in Jacksonville. Before she died in 2009, at the age of 87, Schmidt donated a series of her painted violins to The Guild as a fund-raising tool.
“The Guild is very excited to have the violin and very happy to share it with the winner of a drawing that we’ll have at the Showhouse,” Littlefield said. “Free drawing ballots can be obtained in the Resource Center with purchase of a Showhouse ticket and the winner will be notified after the Showhouse closes.”
Schmidt helped start the first Symphony Showhouse in Jacksonville in 1972 - the first in the state of Florida. In that same year, Schmidt marshaled a group of Jacksonville women from women’s clubs, garden clubs, Junior League and historic societies and convinced Gov. Reubin Askew and the cabinet that the old state capitol building’s dome should be saved. A month later, plans for the new 22-story tower structure were unveiled that contained the old dome nestled in the tower’s shadow. Today the dome is the centerpiece of the Florida State Capitol complex.
In 1976, Schmidt received an EVE Award by The Florida Times-Union in the volunteer category, she was cited for having raised more than $300,000 over 13 years for the American Cancer Society, Jacksonville Symphony, Episcopal schools, WJCT TV-7, Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, Museum of Science and History and the Garden Club of Jacksonville.
In addition to the violin drawing, several special events will be held, including the Preview Luncheon on March 31 and Preview Gala on Friday, April 1. A Speakers’ Series at the Showhouse will run from April 5 until April 21. The Showhouse Boutique, sponsored by Avondale Gift Boutique, will be joined by “The Village Shops,” where interior design and home specialty items will be available for sale to the public. The Designer’s Sale will be held on Monday, April 25, following the closing of the Showhouse.
Advance ticket prices are $15. Groups of 10 or more may purchase tickets for $12 per person. Tickets will be available on site at the Showhouse for $20. There is no cost to visit “The Village Shops” or to attend the Designer’s Sale. Contact The Guild office at (904) 358-1479 for tickets and general information. Visit the website at www.jaxsymphonyshowhouse.com.
The Jacksonville Symphony Guild 2011 Designer Showhouse is presented by Alhambra Theatre & Dining, BMW/Tom Bush BMW, jacksonville.com, The Florida Times-Union and Times-Union Media.
