Heather Hall

The SDSU Visual Arts Department will mix chocolate with love to create a unique event that will take place on none other than Valentine’s Day.

Feb. 14 is the evening when “A Valentine’s Affair,” The Art of Chocolate Auction will premiere at the Elks Club, 516 4th St in Downtown Brookings.

The night begins with a social hour and viewing of the magnificent pieces of art. An auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. with door prizes to be given.

“There’s 40 cooks and chefs who have been invited to submit their chocolate creations for the event,” said Norman Gambill, head of the Art department at SDSU.

The cost for the auction is $5 per ticket. The cost of the ticket will include a chocolate truffle, a bidding number and a glass of champagne, for those who are old enough.

“This is really an event for those who love chocolate. There’ll be things in shapes and other decorative things,” said Gambill.

Gambill also has an idea for those who want the chocolate but don’t necessarily want to auction by themselves. “I know of people who will get a group of people to bid and then go off and share it.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Ram Pub, First National Bank and Hy-Vee. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Ritz Gallery and the SDSU Visual Arts Department. The department would like to get a new set of glass doors for the gallery to give the art the respect that it deserves, Gambill said.

The Visual Arts, the SDSU Foundation and Downtown Brookings Inc., headed by Doris Roden, are coming together to sponsor the viewing of “Chocolat” on the same night. Showcase Cinema 5 will show a special viewing of the movie at 6:30 and 9 p.m. The costs for the tickets are $10 each. This also benefits the Visual Arts department but in a different way.

The department will get a few of dollars off of each ticket, but the rest of the money will go directly to the students to help fund trips and other travel opportunities with the school.

“Go to the auction, go out on the town and go to the movie,” Gambill said.

“Chocolat” was nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture. Starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp, this movie is a must see for those who love romantic stories. The director is Lasse Hallstrom with producers David Brown, Kit Golden, Leslie Holleran and Mark Cooper IV.