The Art Center of Waco will host its annual fundraiser, Table Toppers on Thursday at the Baylor Club at McLane Stadium.
Table Toppers has been the Art Center of Waco’s fundraiser for more than 20 years and has become a staple in keeping the arts a constant presence in the community.
“It is such a fun and practical way to engage community members, local businesses and nonprofits,” Megan Legband, the Art Center of Waco program coordinator, said. “Table Toppers has a wide variety of things for people who are really interested in the arts but may not be super artistic. This way, they are always engaged and seeing something new in the art world.”
The Table Toppers fundraiser allows local businesses, nonprofits and schools to design tablescapes that sit atop the tables during the event. Legband emphasized how great of an opportunity it is for businesses and nonprofits to share their missions and what they do through a visual and artistic avenue.
According to the the Art Center of Waco website, the Art Center of Waco, was originally opened in 1972 to encourage the appreciate of art, offer classes to cultivate creativity and present activities that would support both of these programs.
Featured artists for Table Toppers include Erika Huddleston, Joel Edwards, Susan Kennedy, Sandi and Jeff Horton and Judi Simon. The featured artists will be creating live art at the event. From throwing pottery on a wheel to creating porcelain, the artists are expected to be a hit.
“I had no idea that something like Table Toppers happened in Waco,” said San Francisco senior Madison Fraser. “It’s cool to see that the entire Waco community comes together to support the arts in such a fun and exciting way.”
Other than Table Toppers, the Art Center of Waco is currently hosting the Top Young Artists exhibit on site. Top Young Artists is a competition for local high school students, and is one of the most competitive art exhibits in central Texas.
To help students and alumni prepare for the career fair, the Career and Professional Development and Hire-A-Bear websites offer a variety of tutorials and to-do lists to look over beforehand.
In addition to the live artists and tablescapes, Table Toppers attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction. This year’s silent auction has artwork from local artists, a fairy garden donated by Joanna Gaines and fun gift baskets for any occasion.
“I went last year on a whim but will for sure be back on Thursday,” said Waco resident Laschell Apel. “It was fun to be able to see how much my kids enjoyed seeing everything and really get to know a different side of businesses than you normally get to see.”
Table Toppers will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Baylor Club at McLane Stadium. The event is $70 for members and $80 for nonmembers. For more information regarding Table Toppers or to find out more about the Art Center of Waco, visit their website or their Facebook page.
