Natchez Downtown Development Association is asking people to take a seat.

The NDDA Chair-ity Sale offers hand painted, one-of-a-kind chairs to shoppers looking for something extra special, organizer Yvonne Murray said.

Approximately 30 chairs that were donated to NDDA have been repaired and refinished by local artists. The chairs are on display and for sale at several downtown business until Friday. On Friday, the chairs will be moved to the ArtsNatchez Gallery on Main Street to be displayed together.

The chairs will be unveiled at the gallery with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m.

Murray said when she first formulated the idea, she wasn’t sure how it would catch on, but so far she has been pleased with the results.

“I’ve been surprised with how many people have wanted to be involved,” she said. “People will stop me on the street and ask about it so that is encouraging.”

The chairs are all designed differently, with painters, photographers, potters and other artists using their talents to give the chairs new life.

“We asked people to give us chairs they didn’t want anymore,” Murray said. “What we got back from the artists are real pieces of art.”

But it wasn’t just professional artists getting involved, there were children who painted and decorated chairs, like the child-sized rocking chair on display at Bass Pecan on Main Street. The chair was painted by Madison and Margot Copeland.

Murray said the rocker, painted chocolate brown with accents in pink, orange, turquoise and green, is one of the whimsical options.

Other chairs, like the one on display at Turning Pages Books and More and the chair at The Pampered Sole are painted in a more sophisticated manner. Both are neutral tones with a floral design on the chair back.

Natchez Coffee Company has two coffee-themed chairs on display. One was designed by Natchez Coffee Company employee Candace Hale of Vidalia. The bright green chair is decorated with painted images of the different sweet treats offered at the store.

There are two LSU-themed chairs, three playful stools, a full-sized rocking chair and one chair that is covered with decoupage images of foods.

“The lady who did this chair, is not an artist, but she does love to cook,” Murray said. “She went through her cooking magazines and cut out pictures of foods for the chair.

“I think it would really liven up a kitchen.”

Chairs can be purchased at the shops at which they are on display. Murray said buyers should leave their name and contact information with the shopkeeper when buying the chairs so NDDA representatives can keep track of the sales.

NDDA volunteer Liz Dantone said with the variety of chairs available, shoppers are sure to find one they like.

“There is a good mix of serious and whimsically decorated chairs,” she said pointing at a chair decorated with old post cards mailed from Natchez. A view of Dunleith is painted on the seat of the chair.

Murray said the chairs make good Christmas gifts for people who are normally hard to buy for.

“We are all looking for the perfect gift,” Murray said. “I just think that a one-of-a-kind chair is a real keepsake and a story piece.”

The artists who did chairs for the sale will receive approximately half of the sales price of the chairs, Murray said.

“These are artists who have work displayed at various galleries around town, so we wanted to compensate them for their time in some way,” she said.

The other half of the proceeds will be used to help NDDA promote Natchez’s downtown. Murray said the group will consult with merchants about the best way to use the money raised at the event, but said a couple of ideas have already been discussed.

Murray said the money could be used to help shops advertise or they may compile a brochure of the stores to put on display at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center to give visitors an idea of what they can shop for in Natchez.

For more information, contact Murray by e-mail at murrayy@bellsouth.net or by phone at 601-238-8325.