FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 11/17/08
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Bob Marggraf -- 304-258-6901
PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FROM jennie@macicehouse.org
ART GALA IS HUGE SUCCESS

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV -- The Morgan Arts Council recently announced that the first-ever Art and Elegance Gala resulted in twice the amount of capital funds projected by the event committee. Nearly $50,000 was raised to proceed with renovations to the arts council's Ice House. The main feature of the black tie event was the Art Tombola where a lottery determined which of the guests got to select from the art first. Every guest went home with a piece of art.

"The local artists and their friends were very generous," reported Bob Marggraf, chair of the Gala. "They donated 94 pieces of art worth nearly $30,000." Both Gala guests and people who saw the donated art displayed at the Ice House and online in the weeks before the event were impressed by the quality and diversity. "With so much excellent art, even those people whose Tombola ticket was drawn late in the evening were able to get their second or third choice," Marggraf said. The first piece of art selected was a rustic wood chair made by Jerry Smith of Sleepywood. "We are keeping the art up on the MAC Website for awhile so people can see the amazing variety."

Gala tickets were sold out two weeks in advance of the event. "There were people from all over the region," said Roger Salen, another MAC board member who co-chaired the event with Marggraf. "The Country Inn's newly decorated garden room was the ideal setting for the 160 guests," said Salen. "We were pleased at how many guests asked to be notified for next year's Gala."

In addition to ticket sales, the Gala raised funds through sponsorships, several from businesses that were supporting MAC for the first time."We had 19 sponsors who donated between $1500 and $5000," said Marggraf. "We could not have done it without them anymore than we could have staged this without the full support of the artists' community here." Marggraf proceeded to mention a long list of people who deserved thanks for making the event a success from committee members and artists to the Country Inn, MAC staff and volunteers from the real estate community.

"The Tombola process was a longtime dream of Jane Frenke, a local fabric artist," said Marggraf. "She kept telling us how excited guests would be that night but it was still a surprise when it actually happened," he said. "People made their list of choices, kept up with what was selected and seemed to enjoy the excitement and suspense. One woman told me "I can’t believe I got to pick art and won a $1300.00 raffle prize, too!" Artists and guests were able to meet during a pre-event champagne reception.

Funds raised by the Gala are targeted for architectural and engineering design of and some development work on the bathrooms, heating and air conditioning systems and second stairs required to open usable space on the upper three floors of the Ice House. "MAC has a Cultural Facilities grant from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts," said Marggraf. "This event allows us to match the money raised with state funds." Margraff explained that the need for the capital funds was compelling. "We don't want to lose the grant," he said. "But, even more importantly, MAC and the community both need the space. You cannot imagine how many people use the building and it's only about 25% complete. "

For more information about the activities of the Morgan Arts Council, check online at www.macicehouse.org.