Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs holds its third annual dinner and art auction fundraiser in November. The event is Saturday, Nov. 12, at The Centre. An art preview is at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:15 p.m and auction at 7 p.m.

Pieces for the auction are being juried this month. Tickets for the evenign are $50 each. Contact BCE or its board members for information on purchasing tickets.

Paula Scott of BCE recently talked with Tamera Rooney of Findlay, one of the jurors. BCE art auction will owe its success to supporters like Rooney, who serves as a juror and an important link to the Findlay art community. Here Rooney explains how she became the "Red Tornado" and a promoter of local fine arts.

Tamera Rooney, a.k.a The Red Tornado
Q. Tell us something about your background:
I had a studio for 9 years in the Jones Building [and] I have sold many pieces over the years. I enjoy watercolor with my subject matter being animals and plants. I also enjoy painting portraits of my daughter. I started showing other artists in my studio and felt that the next step was to own a gallery.

Q. Do you "wear other hats?"
I work at United Way of Hancock County as the communications director.

Q. How did Red Tornado get started? The name, the business, the gallery?
I enjoy using my marketing skills to promote local artists. I was dubbed the Red Tornado about 10 years ago by a friend who felt that I was and am a "whirlwind of activity." And I have to agree. I started out promoting artists by coordinating exhibitions at local businesses such as the Wine Merchant, Coffee Amici and Schey Hair Salon. I also coordinate the new gallery wall at the Agency on Aging.

Q. When did the Red Tornado gallery open?
The Red Tornado Art Gallery opened 9 months ago. The exhibitions rotate about once a month. [This month] it will feature Erika Clark. Her paintings and drawings are inspired by her cousin's spinal injury. Her work is abstract and dark, but hopeful and very interesting.

I am excited to announce that in October the gallery will host the first ever exhibition of photos from Motown. The exhibition will include photographs that were on the cover of Hype & Soul magazine, the Supreme's magazine and will also feature a gown worn by Flo Ballard, one of the Supremes. The exhibition will feature 50-60 poster sized black and white photos.

Q. What can you tell readers about the BCE auction?
It is a wonderful event. I have enjoyed being involved. I especially appreciate that artists receive a portion of the sales. Artists are small business entrepreneurs and I think the connection is a good one.

To contact Red Tornado about exhibiting at local business, postcards and marketing materials for exhibits, and to learn more about local artists, visit redtornadopro.com.