This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Sussex 'Sips 'N Dips' Painting Event Raises Money to Fight Alzheimer's

Sussex and Menomonee Falls senior living facilities sponsor creative painting event at Sips N' Strokes art studio in Sussex.

Local painting enthusiasts lined up to sip wine, munch snacks and get personalized painting instructions last week from noted artist Wendy LaVoy. Best of all, they were able to raise more than $1,000 for the Southeastern Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Association.

The fundraiser, called “Sips N’ Dips” was sponsored by the CRL Senior Living Communities of Sussex and Menomonee Falls and was held at the painting school at W249N5267 Executive Drive.

About 70 people attended the sold-out event.

Find out what's happening in Sussexwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We wanted to do something to enlighten people about this terrible disease and make an effort to help resolve the disease,” said Shelley Bundy King, a CRL senior lifestyle consultant. “CRL Communities wants to promote awareness, training and making it a better place for people who are afflicted with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.”

There was also a separate raffle for a LaVoy painting entitled “Forget-Me-Nots of Door County” and tickets sold briskly at $5 each.

Find out what's happening in Sussexwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It was wonderful," said art instructor Laura McCarthy. "It was really well attended and it was a very positive evening. Merrill Hills Manor (a CRL community) provided all of the food and the first glass of wine for each participant. Our founder, Wendy LaVoy led the painting session and everybody ended up with a great painting because they all did a nice job."

and is part of LaVoy’s national chain of philanthropic art studios geared to providing a fun, creative night out. Students paint in three-hour instructed sessions and get to take home their own 16 by 20-inch canvas painting suitable for framing at home.

“It doesn’t require classes and weeks of commitment,” said McCarthy.  “We do have a liquor license and so we’ve got a variety of beers, wines and mixed drinks. People just come and have some time away to do something creative and enjoyable in a really relaxed environment.”

The money raised will benefit training and education of care-givers for those people who keep their loved ones at home or to train care-givers in locations such as the CRL Communities.

"It was exciting to have Wendy be able to participate," said McCarthy. "She is so good at leading a crowd. I would absolutely expect that this will be an annual event."

For more information about Sips N' Strokes, call (262) 896-8888 or visit www.sipsnstrokes.com.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Sussex