Many helped make auction a success

On behalf of the Pence Gallery staff and board of directors, I would like to share our appreciation for the efforts of all the volunteers, artists and sponsors who helped to make our Art Auction event on Sept. 22 a smashing success.

The auction event is our largest fundraiser of the year to support the Pence, a nonprofit art organization founded in 1975. The gallery is solely supported by fundraising events, memberships, grants and donations, and served more than 17,000 people last year. One hundred-sixty artists donated part or all of the proceeds of the sale of their work to the gallery, and we thank them for their generosity. The Pence would not exist without their creativity and dedication.

Our auction patrons always enjoy the scrumptious appetizers and desserts provided by Seasons, Caffé Italia, Nugget Markets, Dos Coyotes and Ciocolat. The wonderful wine provided by Fiddlehead Cellars was a great complement to our culinary treats. Products also were donated by All Star Rents, Watermelon Music and the Davis Food Co-op.

Our event sponsors were so helpful in supporting the auction again this year, so we’d like to thank First Northern Bank; Brooks Painting; attorney Jeffrey Stromberg; Raven’s Corner Framing; Dr. Henry Bennett, D.D.S.; Merrill Lynch/Scott Motley; Carbahal & Company; Dr. Robert Phillips, D.D.S.; and Tandem Properties.

Thank you to all the patrons who attended our pre-auction event, and those who came to the auction gala and purchased art. Volunteers were essential to the event’s success, and are too numerous to mention. I must commend Sue Smith, Steve Boutin, Becca Beer, Jim Smith, Eric Roe and Nancy Roe for their efforts during and before the auction event.

Natalie Nelson

Director, Pence Gallery, Davis