Kappa Alpha Theta raises money for children with art sale

Whether it’s an Ethiopian cross, a new fur rug or a silver spoon, it could have been found at the Bloomington Convention Center during Kappa Alpha Theta’s 48th Annual Antiques and Decorative Art Sale.

Sale attendees perused 48 booths set up by vendors last weekend from all across the Midwest to raise money for different causes.

The show normally raises between $17,000 and $18,000, said Ann Whitlatch, co-chair of the antiques sale. The majority of the money goes to the Court Appointed Special
Advocates, an organization that provides advocates who mentor neglected children.
Whitlach said to keep up with current trends, the co-chairs of the event decided to include decorative arts along with antiques this year.

“Patrons had lots to choose from between glassware, antiques, jewelry and furniture,” she said.

The vendors came from six different states. Whitlach said the antique portion of the sale has become more popular because of the new stresses on reducing, reusing and recycling.

Each year the sale offers members of IU’s Kappa Alpha Theta chapter a unique opportunity to get to know alumni from their own chapter and from other chapters, Whitlach said.

Sophomore Sarah Donley, a member of Theta, said she enjoyed the chance to learn more about her chapter.

“It was nice to meet the alumni, and we have definitely learned a lot,” she said.
Between offering art and sharing good times, Whitlatch said she enjoyed her time as a co-chair of the event because she is a part of bringing together Thetas from around the region.

“It’s fun for us because we work with Theta collegiates,” she said. “We don’t know them well, so it’s our chance to get to know them.”

The wide variety attracts many dealers to come to the show year in and year out, said Ann Robins, a vendor from Bloomington’s Time Travel Antiques.

Robins said she has been coming to the show since the early 1990s. She said the chances of selling something here are much greater than at other art shows.

“It’s a very lively show,” Robins said. “I have exotic things from all over the world, and people are more diverse here.”

Not only has the show established a tradition with vendors, but many customers come back year after year.

Sarah Robinson, who currently resides in Nashville, Tenn., said she has come back for the show every year since she left Bloomington. She said she and her friends see it as a yearly reunion.

“Most people I know come into town for this, and even though I almost quit collecting, I still buy at least a silver spoon every year,” she said.