February 23, 2007

North Carolina native and award winning pianist, John Coffey will be featured in a luncheon for the Inaugural Heart Gallery of Catawba Valley Exhibit on March 7, 2007 at 12:00pm at the Newton-Conover Civic and Performance Place, 60 West 6th Street, Newton. Tickets will be sold in advance for $15.00 and are available through Family Builders of Catawba County at 828-465-8901 or by contacting Anne Wepner at 828-320-5307. The luncheon, which will feature a silent auction in addition to Mr. Coffey's performance, will mark the closing of the first stop of the Heart Gallery exhibit tour. The Heart Gallery will continue to travel around Catawba County, with exhibits at Tasteful Beans Coffee House in Hickory, Hickory Furniture Mart, and Peoples Bank in Newton.

The Heart Gallery Exhibit features children waiting for adoption that have agreed to be photographed by National Award winning photographer, David Crosby of Hickory. Crosby has generously donated his time and talent to capture each child's emotions and personality through his camera to give them the opportunity to capture the heart of a caring and loving adult. The exhibit itself will represent all of area children currently waiting for a family, a home and a future. Catawba county resident Grace Wepner, Miss Gastonia 2007, partnered with Family Builders of Catawba County and the Catawba County Department of Social Services to collaborate on this innovative gallery-style exhibit that highlights children in the Catawba County foster care system currently awaiting adoption.

John Coffey received his Bachelor of Music degree from was educated at the North Carolina School of the Arts and The Julliard School, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He has since cultivated a rich career, performing as a concert pianist before venturing into musical theater as musical director for over 60 productions. He has written his own musicals, as well, including Streets of Hickory, which will be featured at Hickory Community Theater from March 16 through April 1.

Anyone interested in getting more information or hosting The Heart Gallery of Catawba County Exhibit should contact Anne Wepner at 828-320-5307.