TOLEDO—Catholic Charities is hosting its annual fundraising event, “Art Uncorked,” Oct. 23 at the Franciscan Center in Sylvania. Dr. Robert Helmer, president of Lourdes College, and his wife, Linda, are honorary co-chairpeople.  

Nationally known artist Sylvania Franciscan Sister Jane Mary Sorosiak,  assisted by Bishop emeritus Robert W. Donnelly, works on a mosaic auctioned last year at the “Art Uncorked” fundraiser for Toledo Catholic Charities. (Photo courtesy of Toledo Catholic Charities)

The evening’s activities include entertainment, wine tasting, grazing and an art auction with a twist. In addition to donated works of art, participants bid on artwork created at the event by both professional and celebrity artists.  

While artists are completing their artwork, guests are free to observe them work and may taste a number of wines.

The event concludes with a silent auction of donated artwork, as well as the pieces completed at the event.

Professional artists featured this year include Regina Jankowski, Julie Webster, Gideon Rockwood, Aaron Bivins, Trish Kohn and Julie Schuster. Joining them are celebrity artists Sally Goligoski, Father Robert Wilhelm, Sue Fanelly, Jim McGowan and Efrem Graham and Christina Williams from Toledo’s ABC affiliate, WTVG TV.  

Included in the auction are pieces of artwork created by art students at many of local Catholic high schools, including Central Catholic, St. Ursula Academy and St. Francis de Sales.

Jeanne Erickson, the chairperson of the Art Department at St. Francis a guest speaker at the event.

Ms. Erickson was 9 days old when she was placed with an adoptive family through the Family Connections program at Catholic Charities. Recently, Ms. Erickson was involved in creating a mural for a local Toledo family when “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” came to town.  

Catholic Charities has been serving the Toledo community for more than 90 years. Participation in Art Uncorked helps Catholic Charities continue to provide support to those who are in need of attention and care through its many outreach programs and activities.  

To order tickets, call 419-244-6711, ext. 405.

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Lou Cocchiarella is executive director of Catholic Charities of Toledo.