The Albert Lea Art Center will bring a taste of Nashville to town on Friday for the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“A Night in Nashville” will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. It is the eighth year for The Art Center’s Celebrating the Arts & Artists event.

Shane Taylor will be the featured artist. Taylor, of DaVinci’s Skillsaw, is a barn wood artist. Born to a family of carpenters, he creates abstract art with cut-off pieces of wood and has a quaint art gallery, as well as a small workshop and classes on South Newton Avenue. 

Art Center Office Manager Charlene Marley said organizers of “A Night in Nashville” chose to feature Taylor because his style of art went with the rustic theme for the night.

Taylor has created 20 to 25 new pieces for the event and will have a demonstration at one point in the evening.

The night will also feature a meal of pulled pork, cowboy caviar, potato salad and root beer floats, and Cheer’s Liquor and Hy-Vee will have a beer and wine tasting.

Music will be provided by Neil and Barb Lang and Todd Utpadel, and Kraig and Karla Schuhmacher will teach the crowd how to line dance. 

In addition, there will be raffle and door prizes, and a silent auction.

Marley said there has been a great outpouring of support from the community for the silent auction, and there will be more items than in years past. Some of the items include Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves tickets, signed prints from the Vikings and Twins, a one-night stay at Country Inn & Suites, a catered dinner from Victory Inn Catering and a diamond ring, among others.

Tickets are $20 a person and can be purchased at the door or in advance at The Art Center, the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hy-Vee.

If you go

What: “A Night in Nashville”

When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Wedgewood Cove Golf Club

Cost: $20 per ticket

More information: Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at The Art Center, the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hy-Vee