SALISBURY — Four years ago the Salisbury Free Public Library Board was overwhelmed to learn of a greatly appreciated bequest from David Seeley, who had died just before Valentine’s Day.
The perfect moment to honor his gift presented itself in tandem with an Art and Chocolate event before Valentine’s Day this year with work by local artists and a range of chocolate creations. Since Dave was an artisan himself, known to family and friends as Knitter par Excellence, the circle would be complete with a display of his own creativity.
On Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Salisbury Town Hall, there will be an opportunity to satisfy all the senses. At this time more than a dozen local artists and artisans will display/demonstrate and/or sell their work, ranging from painting, basketry, quilts, jewelry, knits and more. There will be a make-your-own Valentine table and a poet to craft poems on the spot.
Samples of Dave’s work will be on display, too. The versatility of his projects ranged from dishcloths and tumbler trousers to sweaters and more than 90 afghans (which used up leftover yarns). But his crowning artistic achievements were lacy knitted bed coverlets, the patterns of his own devising. There will be a rare opportunity to see one of his extraordinary coverlets, lent and sent from Vancouver for the occasion.
The Art of Chocolate will cap the event, featuring a variety of chocolate desserts to sample while browsing, or to take home, as well as free coffee. The sale of these, as well as of work donated by some of the artists, will benefit the Library.