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Hand out a dozen unfinished rocking chairs to artists and ask them to have at it and what do you get?
Furniture embellished with everything from fake fur to shovels and springs, rockers that pay homage to moms and a rocker inspired by an award-winning children's book.
You might not actually sit on Mark Blumenstein's fanciful creation, what with a piece of metal poking up near the seat an all. The fur wrapped around the slats of Keeley Steele's creation might tickle a bit, too. And Helen Chilton's take on Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" might just be too pretty to use.
But all of the rockers donated by artists for the Covenant House's annual fundraiser are made to take a spot in the home or on the porch.
The rockers will go to the lucky winners of a drawing Covenant House has scheduled for Sept. 19. Just 400 tickets at $50 will be sold, a situation that gives ticket holders a one in 33 chance of winning and guarantees Covenant House $20,000 if all the tickets sell.
"We thought it would be a more egalitarian way of doing it," said Kitty Haviland, an administrative assistant for Covenant House who helped organize the effort.
Haviland has marveled at the personality each chair has, thanks to its artist.
"Only two of them are named," she said. "Talking to the artists, I've learned some of them like to name them and some of them don't want them to come with preconceived notions."
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Helen Chilton’s colorful chair was inspired by Maurice Sendak’s popular and award-winning children’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are.” A dozen chairs embellished by area artists, such as the one by Chris Dutch and Robin Hammer, below, will be offered by drawing next month as a fund-raiser for Covenant House.
Mark Blumenstein, who specializes in recycling metal tools and gadgets, brought his rocking chair to life with silly eyes. It is one of 12 that will be given away by drawing in September. Photos: Tom Hindman
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Mark Moore and Jeff Pierson honored mothers -- Pierson's with a portrait on canvas turned into a pillow for the back of his bright green chair.
Chris Dutch and Robin Hammer may have started with a stock chair, but quickly disassembled parts and replaced them with different wood and then treated it to look like wormy chestnut.
Peter Massing took tools to his chair to etch the wood before he painted it bright red and yellow.
Reidun Ovrebo's rocker looks as though the wood has been etched, but closer examination reveals trompe l'oeil painting techniques.
"We've all been amazed at that one," Haviland said.
Staff at Covenant House did a chair, too, theirs a simple version painted with the Covenant House logo, its motto, "Working for Justice for All," and quotes from clients the agency has helped.
Chairs will be on display at some area banks, including BB&T, United and Capital State Bank, as well as Smith Co. Motor Cars.
Tickets for the drawing are available by calling 344-8053. The drawing is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Sept. 19. Holders of winning tickets will get to choose chairs in order. Those not present will be able to select chairs on a first-come, first-served basis Sept. 21.
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