Jewelry designer P.J. Naomi takes inspiration from Acadiana Outreach Center's Three Graces program to create tonight's top auction item. By Krista Richmond
Palates and Pâté is known for bringing artists and chefs together, but the artistry displayed during the live auction goes beyond paintings.
One of the featured items at the fundraiser for the Acadiana Outreach Center will be a custom jewelry piece designed by P.J. Naomi of Paul's Jewelry. So get ready to bid for a good cause, as the event is tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 17) at 7 p.m. at the Cajundome Convention Center.
November 17, 2010
Jewelry designer P.J. Naomi takes inspiration from Acadiana Outreach Center's Three Graces program to create tonight's top auction item. By Krista Richmond
Palates and Pâté is known for bringing artists and chefs together, but the artistry displayed during the live auction goes beyond paintings.
One of the featured items at the fundraiser for the Acadiana Outreach Center will be a custom jewelry piece designed by P.J. Naomi of Paul's Jewelry. So get ready to bid for a good cause, as the event is tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 17) at 7 p.m. at the Cajundome Convention Center.
"It's taking [the Acadiana Outreach Center's] vision and putting it in a jewelry format," Naomi says. "That's the fun part."
This is the 10th piece Naomi has had a hand in creating for Palates and Pâté, and it includes 5.2 carats of brilliant-cut diamonds set in 18k and 14k white gold.
"It's absolutely stunning," says Jill Meaux, community relations director at Acadiana Outreach Center. "It's an amazingly beautiful piece with so much meaning. To hear him tell the story behind the necklace just gives me chills."
Naomi took his inspiration from the center's Three Graces program, an addictions treatment and recovery center in Abbeville. He says he thought it was a beautiful name and decided to symbolize those three graces in this year's piece.
"The idea of grace fits in with charitable giving," Naomi says.
The necklace, crafted by Stephen Credeur, Brent Leblanc and Naomi, includes three symbols taken from the three graces. The grace of charity is represented by a diamond pavé heart. The grace of nature and beauty is represented by a diamond-encrusted fleur de lis, in a nod to the nature and beauty of Acadiana, Naomi says. The grace of spirit and God is represented by a diamond cross.
In addition, he was inspired by the wave design on the center's website and added three pavé waves on each side of the design.
"It's so thoughtful," Meaux adds. "We're so grateful to have a wonderful, generous partner."
And that partnership will continue for another 10 years. Paul's Jewelry has renewed its commitment to Palates and Pâté through 2020.
"It's what the Acadiana Outreach Center stands for and does for the community," Naomi says. "We have, from Day 1, been a supporter of the Acadiana Outreach Center."
In addition to the piece by Naomi, the live and silent auction will also feature the work of local artists Linda Moncla, William Parr, Anne McLeod, Caroline Chunn McCarthy, Julie Breaux, Darren Tucker, George Rodrigue and others, as well as 12 travel packages.
For more information about Palates and Pâté, call 237-7618 or go to www.acadianaoutreach.org.