Chocolate becomes tasteful art

The IU Art Museum will exhibit more than the usual sculptures, paintings and artifacts Sunday.

The sixth annual Art of Chocolate exhibit will feature live chocolate art. All of the proceeds from the event will directly benefit the local non-profit organization OPTIONS.

“This year we decided to do something a little different,” said Lisa Morrison, Week of Chocolate committee member.

In years past the event has exhibited human models painted with chocolate. This year local Collaborative Artist Joe LaMantia will be creating a masterpiece by painting chocolate onto a canvas, Morrison said.

LaMantia will be using green as the main color palate for the piece to enhance the theme of sustainability.

“I have to say I have never worked with chocolate as a paint medium,” LaMantia said.

LaMantia won’t be the only one painting. Members of OPTIONS helped LaMantia create the original drawing, and they will also aid in painting during the event.

“We are also going to try to invite people in the audience to participate if they want,” LaMantia said. “I always like to include people who would
like to try.”

Throughout the night other events will take place as LaMantia paints his landscape. There will be live jazz music from the Andy Cobine Trio, a silent auction and chocolate desserts and martinis passed around.

Susan Rinne, executive director of OPTIONS, said she is excited about this year’s event.

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Rinne said. “One that kind of keeps us going throughout the year.”

OPTIONS is a non-profit organization out of Bloomington that provides services to people with disabilities. Their organization created the Week of Chocolate and the Art of Chocolate.

The 2010 Week of Chocolate features events throughout the Bloomington community from January 30 until Feb. 6. Nine organizations put on various events during the week, and each group gets to keep the profits they raise.

Last year’s Week of Chocolate raised $35,000 for the nine not-for-profits. The Art of Chocolate raised $20,000 for OPTIONS.

This year Rinne said she hopes they exceed their goal and that more members of the community get involved.

“We have had great interest from the community,” Rinne said. “This is a great community to be in.”