Christine Dryden, a friend from neighboring Chantilly, writes:

On May 10, 35 local and regional artists will present the Third Annual Carolina Art Soirée, an art show to benefit The GBS/CIDP Foundation International. Last year, the event raised $30,000 for the foundation and sold over 100 paintings. Organized by Hannah Blanton, a Charlotte nurse and mother who was struck with the rare and severe illness in 2003, the fundraising event aims to raise awareness of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, often causing rapid paralysis.

The Carolina Art Soirée event will be held at Midtown’s Met Terraces, 1110 Metropolitan Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. The reception will include live music from musician Grey Brewster, and food and drink from Vivace, Dressler’s, LaPaz, Zoe’s Kitchen, Hickory Tavern, Pisces Sushi, Delish Cakery, Penny’s Pimento Cheese, Troy & Sons Distilling and Natty Greene’s Brewing Co. Extravaganza Events, Picture House Gallery and Metropolitan are also sponsoring.  A suggested donation of $20 per person will be accepted at the door. Valet parking will be provided.  The exhibition will continue May 11 from 11 am to 3 pm. 

Participating artists include Betsy Alexander, Pam Anderson, Wendy Bilas, Laura Bowers, Dianne Britton, Curt Butler, Zan Byrd, Allison Chambers, Robbie Clair, Theresa Clark, Fonda Doerre, Christina Dowdy, Jenny Fuller, Lita Gatlin, Marcy Gregg, Chris Keogh, Heidi Kirschner, Robert Langford, Dottie Leatherwood, Kevin LePrince, Jennifer Levine, Mike Lewis, Anne Neilson, Windy OConnor, Liz Orvos, Patricia Ratcliffe, Laurie Richardson, Michelle Rivera Kosavek, Caroline Simas, Libby Smart, Gina Strumpf, Amy Sullivan, Kelly Thiel, and Helen Vanvick. The art show will also feature the work of homeless artists from Urban Ministry Center’s ArtWorks 945 program.