Fun Summer Fundraisers at Sonoma Valley Museum of Art Culminate with Annual Gala
“Wet Paint: On the Strip” on September 10th
Other Events Include Ongoing “Great Places, Great Spaces” House Parties
and June 11th “Art Works” Art Auction
www.svma.org
Media Contacts: David Perry, DP&A, Inc: (415) 693-0583/
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Lance Walker, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art: (707) 939-7862 /
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
25 April 2011 – Sonoma, CA: Viva, Las Vegas – Sonoma style! This year, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (www.svma.org) raises funds with all the cosmopolitan excitement of the Las Vegas Strip, plus an ongoing series of house parties and a caviar-laden art auction. On September 10, the Museum’s season of artful giving culminates with the annual Wet Paint Benefit Gala – this year themed “On the Strip” to reflect the glamour of Las Vegas. Beginning this month and continuing through the fall, friends of the Museum will be opening their homes for a series of Great Places, Great Spaces private fundraising parties. On June 11, the Museum becomes the stage for its first-ever invitation-only Art Works art auction sponsored by Tsar Nicoulai Caviar.
“This really puts the ‘fun’ back into fundraising,” quipped Kate Eilertsen, Museum Executive Director. “Last year, our Wet Paint fundraiser took us to Paris. This year it’s a trip to cosmopolitan Las Vegas that highlights a summer full of exciting events to support the Museum. ”
On Saturday, September 10th, the Museum again sponsors what has quickly become one of the area’s most-eagerly-anticipated events, the annual Wet Paint Benefit Gala, this year themed “On The Strip” with the interior of the Museum transformed into an upscale Las Vegas entertainment venue, complete with everything one expects from a trip to America’s playround. Tickets are $250 per person.
Throughout the summer, the Museum celebrates the art of architecture, interior design and exceptional epicurean entertainment with a series of house parties -- Great Places Great Spaces -- at the homes of Museum supporters. Great Places Great Spaces shows the support of the local arts and philanthropic community as 10 Sonoma Valley families open their homes to host lunches, dinners and cocktail parties to raise money for the Museum.
“This new idea has proved so popular, that all the house parties are nearly sold out,” said Eilertsen.
On June 11th the “fun raising” moves into the Museum’s own home at 551 Broadway in Sonoma for its Art Works art auction. Attendees will be able to bid on exclusive art offerings, including “Steel Watercolor Disc and Balls,” a magnificent 11 foot tall sculpture by Fletcher Benton which was one of the highlights of his recent exhibition at the Museum. This would be a key addition to an outdoor sculpture collection or displayed in a high-ceiling indoor space. Other offerings include work by Guy Diehl and Sonoma's own Keith Wicks.
“Nowadays, with every nonprofit competing for funds in a recessionary economy, creativity is key,” said Eilertsen. “So, instead of coming up with just one idea – we had three. We hope this season of artful fundraising will be three times as fun; and, of course, raise three times as much money.”
The Sonoma Museum of Art is located at 551 Broadway in Sonoma. Museum hours are Wednesdays through Sundays 11am– 5pm. More information about the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is available at www.svma.org or by calling (707) 939-7862.
# # #
