‘Bluegrass Sunshine,’ by Claude Robertson, oil

Riverview at Hobson Grove is celebrating all things Kentucky with the Charity Affair: Splendor in the Bluegrass.

“The theme is to be reflective of all the things people associate with Kentucky and our heritage,” Riverview executive director Sam Terry said. “The response from the artists has been phenomenal.”

The event will be at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the home of Lisa and Bill Leachman. Tickets are $50 per person and include a cocktail buffet. Reservations are required.

Now in its ninth year, The Charity Affair features artwork that is auctioned with proceeds benefiting Riverview. There will be 28 pieces of original art. Even the 60 items in the silent auction are related to Kentucky in some way.

“The theme has sparked new interest on the part of the artists and people doing gift items,” Terry said.

Local artist Misha Ambrosia was inspired by a piece of artwork she was commissioned to do about a horse named Arabella. Because Kentucky is known for horses, she decided to do a watercolor titled “Arabella Study.” The painting features a picture of Arabella with her rider.

“Arabella is a horse that was in the Olympics last year for jumping,” she said. “There are jumping gates behind her, so there is no doubt about what she does. Everyone is in full gear.”

Last year’s Charity Affair raised $20,000, Terry said.

“We’re using the proceeds for future projects,” he said. “We hope to use it toward our visitors center.”

Riverview’s current space is cramped, limiting space for the museum, offices and storage, Terry said.

“A secondary building that would be able to house larger groups of people for programs, allow adequate rental space for various functions on the property and a larger museum shop,” he said. “That would, in turn, allow us to restore the basement level and kitchen of the house.”

Terry doesn’t know when the visitors center dream will become a reality.

“We’re still in the planning stages at this point,” he said. “We’re working with an architect.”

Not only does the Charity Affair benefit Riverview, but also the artists. Ambrosia said this is her third one, and she enjoys being able to mingle with a variety of people – those from the community as well as other artists.

“I love the Charity Affair. I like being able to walk the grounds and meeting new people,” she said. “It’s kind of like the Kentucky Derby of Bowling Green. It’s a fun event and goes to a great cause.”