Galveston Art League Celebrates Region’s Musical Accomplishments at Gala

Centerpieces emphasized the gala theme, “An Evening of Art & Music,” with découpaged musical notes affixed to bouquets of red roses.

Some 120 guests toasted Galveston County’s musical treasures during the Galveston Art League’s annual gala held Saturday, Oct. 6, at the San Luis Hotel Grand Ballroom in Galveston.
    Loud applause followed big-screen video performances of the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, Galveston College Community Chorale, and Galveston Heritage Chorale. Musicians with Sparky Koerner’s Jazz Ensemble, another group honored during the Art League event, played live during the festivities and tuned up for dancing after the program ended.
    The event celebrated the mutually beneficial relationships between regional art and music groups, and representatives for the four honoree groups accepted plaques documenting their enrichment of local culture.
    The dress was T-shirts to tuxedos, with several guests in costume to fit the event’s theme, “An Evening of Art & Music.” Others wore cocktail attire or more casual clothes that they could accessorize with whimsical hats and glasses at the complimentary photo booth set up in a corner of the ballroom. Decorations included music-themed centerpieces of red roses and red-and-black-draped chairs.
    Dinner was tailored to guests’ preferences, including special dietary options. Most people at the gala selected beef tenderloin as their entrée, which was accompanied by a dinner salad, risotto, and wine. Chocolate mousse and coffee followed the meal.  
    After dinner, emcee Don Nelson, formerly with the area’s ABC-TV affiliate station, put on his auctioneer hat. He took charge of the live bidding for a week’s stay for up to 12 people at a condo in Snowmass, Colorado; large artworks by three award-winning Galveston-area artists; and a mosaic-tile covered guitar ― not for playing but to be hung as wall décor. (The guitar was designed and crafted by participants in the College of the Mainland’s Lifelong Learning Program.)
    The raffle winner was artist Paul Tankersley, who had contributed two paintings to the fundraiser. He took home a big-wheeled beach wagon loaded with highly rated wines, Texas-made liquors, and gourmet foods; the assortment will assure him of several delicious beach picnics.
    Dozens of the Art League’s gala guests scored silent-auction items ranging from a René Wiley painting to jewelry to gift cards from Galveston County merchants.
    The 2018 fundraiser was the fifth gala held by the Galveston Art League, which was founded 104 years ago with a mission of promoting visual arts. The nonprofit organization uses its gala proceeds to fund activities such as low-cost weekend workshops, classes for children, juried shows for adults and children, and promotion of regional artists through its galleries and public relations. The Art League has two galleries open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays: 2117A Postoffice St. in Galveston and 611 6th St. N. in Texas City. The Postoffice gallery is currently under construction as it expands into the space next-door.
    For more information about the organization, its workshops, volunteer opportunities, and memberships (starting at $35 a year for adults and $10 for students), please visit GalvestonArtLeague.com.