Do you have your tickets for Art Mingle? No?! There's no better time than right now to secure your spot at this artful fundraising event, set for March 7 at SNW Gallery and Union Hall, 328 Poyntz Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Art Mingle 2025: Hidden Gems, presented by Community First National Bank, promises to be a delightful evening in the HEART of downtown Manhattan. Your ticket includes savory and sweet options, libations, and lively music by Bell Family Trio. This event benefits Meadowlark Memory Program.

Inspired by the art that livens the hallways and community spaces at Meadowlark, Art Mingle has been a celebration of painters and paintings since its inception in 2018. Previously, Art Mingle highlighted two local or area artists and their work. Attendees were invited to visit with the artists and bid on their paintings in either the live or silent auctions.

This year, with the event at SNW Gallery and the adjoining Union Hall, multiple works of art, created by several artists in a variety of media and sizes, will vie for our attention. Simply admire the two- and three-dimensional gems, or if you’d like to dress up a naked wall, SNW Gallery is ready to get the pARTy started! Purchase artwork at Art Mingle, and gallery owners Alyn and Kevin West will donate a portion of the proceeds to the memory program.

If you are considering an art purchase, make sure you measure those bare spots in your home or office, take a photo of the wall and/or room, and come prepared to make the perfect selection.

Think you aren't an art connoisseur? Think again! Art is everywhere. Consider the silent and live auction possibilities! The art of travel, the art of jewelry design, and the art of local experiences.

If  five nights of pure paradise sounds enticing, you’ll want to have your bid number in hand during the live auction. The high bidders for “Mexico Caribbean Resort Collection” will enjoy a luxurious, all-inclusive stay for two at a top-tier beach resort or hotel in Mexico. Savor delicious meals, sip refreshing drinks, and indulge in activities. The winner(s) selects from one of several destinations/resorts!

If traveling closer to home is appealing, look no farther than Kansas City. The owner of a mid-century house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, considered by many as the greatest American architect of all time, invites up to four persons for a private tour and a happy hour, complete with hors d’oeuvres and beverages on his deck overlooking the Missouri River and Kansas City skyline. The Bott House is one of just three FLW-designed buildings in Kansas City, and this home has been called a jewel because it still contains its original furnishings, also designed by Wright. This package also includes an overnight stay and a restaurant certificate.

A third live auction item is a repeated, but slightly changed, favorite from the 2024 event — a guided Many Manhattan Murals tour for up to 10 people with drinks and a meal following the tour at Manhattan’s newest restaurant, Bootsies, opening soon in Aggieville. This package was donated by WTC Fiber.

Paintings have traditionally been a part of the silent auction, but because art available to purchase will decorate SNW Gallery as well as Union Hall, items on the silent auction table include experiences, services, items to wear, items to consume, and more! For example, talented designer Judy Willingham, a Meadowlark resident, donated one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces that are sure to add interest to your outfits. An authenticated, framed collage-style photograph of several Kansas City Chiefs players is signed by none other than Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, and head coach Andy Reid. Alongside the autographed photo are tickets from the Chiefs’ three Super Bowl wins: 2020, 2023, and 2024!

This year’s raffle prize was selected with the theme in mind. Purchase a numbered glass of champagne as you enter the venue for a chance to win a gem of a prize: a stunning tennis bracelet, necklace, and earrings set with sparkling amethysts, a desired gemstone for anyone who cheers for the Purple and the White. A prize for completing a scavenger hunt, designed to assist event-goers with their art gallery experience, will be fragrant lavender products.

Art Mingle tickets are available by calling Meadowlark’s Hospitality Desk at (785) 323-3847, or purchase online at meadowlark.org. Cost is $75, or elevate your experience by purchasing a reserved seat for an additional $10. Limited number of reserved seats are available.

In addition to Community First National Bank, Meadowlark Memory Program is grateful to have attracted the support of these sponsors: Steel & Pipe Supply, SNW Gallery, Union Hall, WTC Fiber, The Trust Company of Manhattan, BHS Construction., and the Alan and Karen Bell Family Foundation. In addition, several local businesses and individuals were quick to say yes to requests for donations.

Meadowlark Memory Program is the only comprehensive program of its kind in the region. Activities and support are facilitated by professional educators and staff and are available free of charge to persons living with memory challenges as well as their care partners.