Artist donates painting to raise funds for local woman

EAGLE COUNTY — This holiday season, the Vail community is rallying behind Kai Conroy, who has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Myelodysplastic syndrome is a disorder that inhibits the healthy production of blood cells in the bone marrow.

Conroy is a therapist at Spa Anjali at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa, and she has dedicated over 10 years to East West Resorts and four years to Spa Anjali. Upon hearing of her diagnosis, The Westin team kicked fundraising efforts to help Conroy into high gear.

SPA FUNDRAISER

At a Nov. 2 fundraiser, Spa Anjali raised over $15,000 to help Conroy with medical bills. The spa expected 100 to 150 people to come to the fundraiser, and 250 people showed up.

“It was amazing,” said Ingrid Middaugh, spa director at Spa Anjali.

Spa Anjali sold out the most spa appointments on record that day, with funds going toward Conroy. The entire staff at Spa Anjali and Allegria Spa, Conroy’s former workplace, donated a day’s work and tips to the cause.

“It’s incredible to be part of such a team that everybody cares about each other so much,” Middaugh said.

The efforts to support Conroy are still underway.

CHARITABLE ART

Local artist Britten Roetzel has donated a 50-by-60-inch painting to the cause. Roetzel is a member at The Westin, and upon hearing Conroy’s story, she decided to donate a painting to raise funds.

“It was something I felt a calling to,” Roetzel said.

The painting, titled “Arcadia,” is now on sale. The painting features a colorful, ethereal mountain landscape on a hand-made, organic cotton canvas. The painting captures the natural regeneration of the valley through the seasons, and Britten’s use of bright colors shines a positive light on Conroy’s recovery and the community support behind her.

This painting is among a collection of paintings titled “The Circle,” which focus on giving and receiving. Atop Britten’s paintings are gold, silver and copper leaf, along with French-milled, museum-grade oil paint and resin.

All paintings in the collection are being donated to charity. The paintings are featured on the artist’s website,http://www.studiobritten.com.

The piece is currently on display near the west elevators in the lobby at The Westin. The painting will sell for $11,000 or more, with the proceeds going to the Vail Valley Charitable fund in order to support Conroy. Anyone who is interested in purchasing the painting should call 970-790-3020. To donate to the Vail Valley Charitable Fund for Conroy, visit http://www.coloradogives.org/vvcf.

Elizabeth Roberts
Special to the Daily
December 30, 2014

ARTICLE SOURCE: http://www.vaildaily.com/news/artist-donates-painting-to-raise-funds-for-local-woman/