The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) will host its 13th Annual Art & Soup event to benefit the Shelter Nursing Program on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, located at 72nd and Grover Streets in Omaha, NE.

A Patron Party featuring hors d’oeuvres soups prepared by Sage Student Bistro at the Institute for the Culinary Arts, Marjorie Nabity at the keyboard, artists with “creation stations” that guests can create and take their own original art and the opportunity for early entrance to Art & Soup, buy-it-now on the silent auction, meet artists one-on-one and purchase original artwork will be happening from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Proceeds from the event will allow the VNA to continue providing public health services for children and adults living in area homeless shelters. In 2008 VNA shelter nurses provided public health nursing services to 1,138 children, 1,245 women and 2,150 men totaling 4,533 individuals and families served. Children living in homeless shelters continues to increase.

VNA provides care to these youth and teens in the six Omaha children’s shelters. Forty-four percent of the area homeless have children age 18 or younger.

This year, Art & Soup will feature original artwork from 55 area artists and soups uniquely created for this event by 25 of the metro areas finest restaurants.

The event raised more than $140,000 in 2009 through art sales (a minimum of 50 percent of the proceeds from artwork must go directly to the VNA), ticket sales and donations. This accounts for more than 17 percent of the program’s funding for the year. Attendees can sample the different soups and vote for their favorite, in addition to viewing and purchasing original art from area artists.

Artwork will include both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art along with wearable art and live artist demonstrations. Wonderful smooth jazz performed by Higher Pursuit, desserts and coffee will also be on hand for guests to enjoy.

Tickets are $50 at the door.