A limited number of tickets are available for a buffet dinner catered by Kopper Kettle Restaurant from Morristown with cocktails beginning at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 each or $240 for a table of eight.

Patrons who don’t attend the dinner but still want to show their support for the arts in Shelby County and enjoy an evening of music and dancing may purchase tickets for $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

A special dance floor will be laid at the Strand for the event.

Tickets are available at Mickey’s T-Mart, 748 S. Harrison St.; Grover Museum, 52 W. Broadway St., the Strand Theatre, 215 S. Harrison St.; Karma Music, in the Bel-Aire Shopping Center; Smashed Productions, 55 E. Washington St.; and the Shelby Arts Guild, 18 S. Harrison St. For information and reservations for tables, contact Rhonda Schwegman at (317) 398-1261.

The Rush County Big Band will provide the music for the evening and present ballroom and swing music in addition to big-band tunes from the 1940s. Band organizer Jim Sterrett noted that "sometimes the music migrates to the 1950s." In addition, several vocalists usually perform with the 16-piece orchestra.

The Shelby Arts Council is supportive of the various arts activities in Shelby County. These groups include the Blue River Community Choir, Shelby Community Band, Shelby County Players, Strand of Shelbyville, Shelby Arts Guild Association, Grover Museum, Cornstock, Arts Fest and the Blue River Folk Music Festival. During For the Love of Arts, the different arts organizations in the community will have a chance to display brochures and fliers to promote their upcoming events.

The Valentine’s Day dinner and dance will serve as the Shelby Arts Council’s annual meeting and fundraiser. The umbrella arts group is trying to revitalize its membership and strengthen its position as a promoter of the arts in Shelby County.

The formation of the Shelby Arts Guild Association in 2008 and its opening of a gallery at 18 S. Harrison St. currently requires support from the Shelby Arts Council in addition to the fees paid by artists who are displaying their work in the new space. Money raised during For the Love of Arts will help to subsidize the monthly rental fees on the gallery.

Other arts groups in Shelby County are eligible to apply for grant money from SAC. In addition to sponsoring the Folk Music Festival in May and Explore the Arts classes throughout the year, SAC also puts on Arts Fest in October.