Love Is Art Gala benefits Art Association
The main room at the Porterville Elks Log was beautifully decorated for Valentine’s Day with red table cloths, centerpieces, hearts and decorations on the walls, which was perfect for the Love Is Art benefit Gala for the Porterville Art Association held Saturday evening.
Courtney Gillespie was the evening Master of Ceremonies who welcomed everyone, and spoke about the Porterville Art Association and the need for the benefit gala, and thanked everyone for their support and attendance.
Gillespie spoke about all the artwork and the many drawing prizes available, such as a 58-inch TV from Walmart, and countless gift baskets, gift cards, and prizes that were available. Throughout the evening he also announced there was an open mic as well as entertainment.
There were tables with paintings, and artwork displayed around the lodge main entrance, as well as long tables filled with elegant and enticing looking cellophane wrapped and decorated gift baskets for drawing prizes.
Melodie, Courtney’s wife, was the evening’s hostess, making sure everyone had dinner and got their tickets for the festivities and drawing.
Close to 140 people attended the gala, where there was plenty of entertainment, from stand up improv by Terry Crewse, to singing by locals, such as 7-year-old Brooklyn Huckleberry, who sang “Tomorrow” from the Broadway Play “Annie, to enthusiastic applause.
As dinner was being served accomplished local actor and singer Richard Boyd sang “I Left My Heart In San Francisco,” “Night and Day” and other classical night club or show tunes.
As the evening progressed other singers sang after the spaghetti and salad dinner, one of them was Linda Hengst, who sang songs she teaches at school, and played an instrument, and is the current featured artist at the PAA Gallery. Another singer was
Walterscheid, who had a robust voice and sang “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head.”
PAA President Joy Harvey said, “We look forward to hosting this event for the community every year. There are lots of unique art and gift items as well as entertainment tonight.” She sat and welcomed people as they came into the Lodge and sold event tickets.
“This is a great cause and more people need to come out and support the PAA,” said Sandi Beyerbach.
The little girl who sang, “Tomorrow,” Huckleberry, sat with her proud parents Heidi and Jason Huckleberry and was clearly enjoying herself. With confidence, Brooklyn spoke about performing, and said, “I practiced at home for 20 minutes a day, and my cat, who was always asleep, didn’t like it.”
The Huckleberrys live in Visalia, and Brooklyn’s mother, Heidi, excitedly and proudly said Brooklyn sang “Away in the Manger,” at Christmas, and was a ballerina angel for the Christmas play at Grace Christian in Visalia. Brooklyn is in first grade.
Jo Nell and Ronnie Mauck, who’ve been involved with the PAA for years said they had a great time during the evening, accompanied by their grandson Nathan Hargot, who sang later in the evening, The Maucks and Gillespies helped organize the event, along with many other PAA members.
“This is a nice turnout, and people are enjoying themselves,” said Jo Nell.
“This is a lot of fun and it’s great to support a cause like the PAA. I look forward to coming back next year,” said Julie Phillips.