Sunday evenings are usually slow and calm, but not at the Southern Women’s Committee of Fifty auction which was recently held at the American Village. The auction garnered more than $4,000 for the Shelby County Arts Council.

Committee of Fifty President Dr. Anne Bishop showed she’s not just all intellect when she donated a Mexican dinner for 10 to be cooked and served at her home.

Additional generosity was shown by local artist Mari Newton titled, “Rising Hope.” Mari is the art teacher at Vincent Elementary School.

Barbara Ann Beckett Gains, a member of the Alabama Designers and Craftsman Guild and exhibitor at Four Seasons Gallery, donated a handmade, glazed decorative pottery plate.

Phyllis French hand painted and donated a poinsettia and roses display platter and Jenny Griffith, owner of Griffith Art Gallery, donated several art pieces.

Stephanie Dikis showcased skills she learned at the Shelby County Academy of Fine Arts for the past six months. She created and donated a ceramic platter.

Dr. Beth Hamer, retired home economist from the University of Montevallo, proved her culinary abilities when her homemade coconut cake auctioned for $125.

The top auction item was a week’s stay in a luxurious two-bedroom condominium overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

The next Committee of Fifty event will be the annual gala to be held March 26. Those proceeds will benefit a special education program for 2,300 fifth graders and the Birthday Wish program.

Beth Chapman can be reached by e–mail at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.