Platter painted by Jeff Donovan

Platters painted by area artists will be diplayed at Saturday’s Dessert Finale, the closing event of this weekend’s Dining with Friends hospitality gala.

The community–wide event, during which volunteer hosts and hostesses entertain, raises funds for research for the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.

Following dinners held all over town, ranging in formality from candlabras to ticki torches, all guests are invited to converge in one setting for a Dessert Finale. As guests and hosts are partying at homes throughout the area, AIDS Benefit Foundation volunteers will be busy at the finale site, slicing and setting out the city’s most delectable desserts and coffees. Desserts will be created and donated by top restaurateurs and caterers.

During the Dessert Finale, collectors will be able to view platters painted by artists. The platters are donated by Rosenthal China, shipped to Columbia, picked up by participating artists, and hand painted. Painting on platters is a challenge that requires different techniques thereby making the creations highly collectible.

Jeff Donovan, Andrew Weber, Suzy Scarborough, Virginia Scotchie, Brian Rego, Christian Thee, and Stephen Chesley are some of the partipating artists.

For information on participating in the Dessert Finale only, contact the AIDS Benefit Foundation.