“Art Matters.” That was the mantra repeated by Kathy Fallow, founding donor of the Carbon County Creative Arts Fund, during her comments welcoming attendees at the fourth annual Art with a View fundraiser recently at Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Palmerton.

More than 100 people attended the charity auction, raising more than $8,000 for the fund, which grants money to area nonprofits to support programs in the creative arts arenas.

“Look around you,” said Fallow. “We could have simply held an online art sale, advertised it on Twitter and Facebook. Art brings us together. And so, I stand here, five years after starting on this journey to remind you that not only is Art with a View a fund raiser, it is also a ‘fun’ raiser, with much social interaction, good food, good music, good friends, and wonderful art.”

The Carbon County Creative Arts Fund, a charitable fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation, was established by Fallow and her co-founder, Janet Heck Salek, to create a community in which people of all ages and backgrounds can experience the arts.

Twenty-two artists from Carbon County had more than 100 pieces of their artwork on display and for sale.

Pieces ranged from paintings and handmade jewelry to wooden sculptures and photography. Artists donated a portion of the proceeds from sales to the Creative Arts Fund. Several artists also donated works of their art, which were auctioned off to attendees.

While browsing, attendees enjoyed the musical stylings of Mitchell Hourt, a Palmerton graduate and current student at Moravian University, where he performs with the Moravian Big Band Orchestra.

Edith “Edie” Roeder was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in celebration and recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to the arts in Carbon County.

Roeder, soon to turn 103, was a Palmerton resident for more than 40 years. Upon her retirement from teaching English at Northern Lehigh School District, she took up painting to “share her pleasure” with those around her.

“She’s quite a lady,” said Heck Salek as she presented the award to Roeder. “Considering Edie’s prodigious number of paintings, it’s amazing to note that she did not start painting until she retired. After 27 years of teaching, she found her art.”

“I’m overwhelmed, this is so lovely,” said Roeder.

The Palmerton Historical Society, represented by Lynn Shupp, is the recipient of this year’s grant from the Creative Arts Fund. Shupp was presented with a check for $2,000 to support Palmerton’s 125th anniversary celebration, which is being commemorated with a concert by the Allentown Symphony in the Palmerton High School auditorium this summer. The grant from the Creative Arts Fund will offset the costs of the performance, ensuring a lower ticket price for attendees.

“Kathy and Janet have planted the seed by establishing this fund with a contribution to the Carbon County Community Foundation,” said Sharon Alexander, president of the Community Foundation, during her comments on Thursday. “By being here tonight and donating to this fund, you all are helping that seed grow so it becomes a permanent endowment, granting funds to nonprofits like the Historical Society, year after year, forever.”

Now in its fourth year, Art with a View has grown so much that artists were turned away from participating this year due to limited space. The event committee is planning a juried submission process for next year.

Interested artists can stay up to date by visiting www.cccfoundpa.org.

Community members interested in supporting the Creative Arts Fund should contact the Carbon County Community Foundation at 610-730-2526 or info@cccfoundpa.org.

The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed in 2015 with the mission to improve the quality of life for residents of the Carbon County region, now and forever. The Foundation exists to simultaneously be a philanthropic leader, a community resource, and a financial steward. Carbon County Community Foundation’s role?in charitable giving?is:?

• To?help?donors?realize their goals?today and in the future;

• To improve the capacity of?nonprofits?to meet?vital needs?through grants and workshops;

• To facilitate opportunities?for collaboration and innovation, and;?

• To build resources and?strengthen our community.