Liz Moore & Associates, 276 North Main Street, Kilmarnock will hold a “Cupcake Wars” event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. February 10 to benefit RAL Art Center’s smART Program for Young Artists.
During the event, the real estate office offers creatively decorated cupcakes for a donation to a featured local nonprofit. In exchange for a donation on February 10, participants may select four cupcakes.
“The RAL Art Center has been fulfilling its mission of bringing art to the community and community to the arts for over 73 years,” said Liz Moore managing broker Sandra Hargett. “RAL has provided a creative space for local artists at all levels of experience and offered educational opportunities to children, youth and adults. RAL is the creative heart of our community and we’re proud to support it through our Cupcake Wars event.”
According to RAL executive director Sharon Stone, Ph.D., the RAL Art Center was organized in 1949 by three friends who were artists and art lovers. Their goal was to bring to the Northern Neck an arts venue providing opportunities to create, display and learn about art.
They first met in an old schoolhouse in Irvington, charging 10 cents per person to “keep the lights on.” By 1990, the group had grown and was incorporated as the Rappahannock Art League, Inc. The organization acquired nonprofit status in 2000. So, what started as a casual gathering of friends with a common interest grew into the RAL Art Center, offering gallery space representing various media, a gift shop featuring art and craftwork, monthly exhibitions, classes for all ages and skill levels, and scholarships for youth.
In 2022, RAL’s member artists and staff used their collective talent and resources to bring art classes and activities to more than 500 children and youth.
“What’s notable about RAL’s efforts is how our organization collaborates with other nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck, the Lancaster County Early Childhood Education Center, the Irvington Baptist Church and more to extend our reach and our impact,” said Stone.
The Liz Moore & Associates’ Cupcake Wars 2022 event in Kilmarnock raised thousands of dollars for Smith Point Sea Rescue.
“We hope to raise a significant amount for RAL’s smART Program for Young Artists on February 10,” said Hargett. “Last year, local bakeries such as Out of the Oven Bakery in White Stone and Michelle’s Sweet Treats in Warsaw, and home bakers contributed to the fundraising event. Liz Moore agents put on their baking hats and made dozens of cupcakes—just in time for Valentine’s Day.”
The public is invited to drop by and pick up a box of cupcakes for a donation of their choice to the RAL Art Center.
“I have lived in the Northern Neck since 1985 and would never consider living elsewhere,” said Hargett. “Liz Moore & Associates has always emphasized giving back to the community. So do I. As managing broker, I have facilitated fundraising events to benefit nonprofits with my agent team, such as Santa Paws to aid local county animal shelters in Lancaster and Northumberland counties, Smith Point Sea Rescue, RAL Art Center, Northern Neck Orchestra, Lancaster Players and other local nonprofits that need our support.
“Our community connectedness makes this region a special place to live and work. Liz Moore & Associates can always be counted on to make every effort to continue that tradition of support,” she said.