By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Accents for Dance, in association with Miss Kathy's School of Dance, Decatur and Dowagiac, and Niles Academy of Performing Arts, is wrapping up Saturday a contest/silent auction to raise money for the American Red Cross to help aid tsunami victims.
Students from Miss Kathy's and the Niles Academy are showing their artistic creativity by decorating pointe shoes.
The creative results are on display in Accents this week, where bid slips are also available. A silent auction is taking place for anyone interested in purchasing a shoe or shoes.
On Feb. 22, the highest bidder of each shoe will be notified and asked to stop by Accents with their check made payable to the American Red Cross.
At the same time, they will also receive their shoe(s).
The student whose decorated shoe receives the highest overall bid at each studio will receive a $25 gift certificate from Accents.
Almost 50 shoes were made available for the auction, with all proceeds benefiting American Red Cross.
There are 30 at Accents, seven in Niles and 10 at Curves in Decatur.
Several shoes feature a "Wizard of Oz" theme, since that's what the dancers will be performing at their June recital. Katelyn Mueller's ruby red slippers contain the familiar figures along a wee yellow brick road.
Jenna Tidey and Mary and Sarah Wright filled their shoes with flowers.