Gala shows city’s ‘Taste for the Arts’

Members of the Boulder City Public Art Scape will share their good taste for and in the arts during a gala event Friday evening.

The seventh annual A Taste for the Arts will begin at 6 p.m. at the Boulder Creek Golf Course Pavilion, 1501 Veterans Memorial Drive. Proceeds from the event benefit the Public Art Scape’s efforts to beautify downtown Boulder City with sculpture.

During the evening, guests will have an opportunity to sample specialty items from Boulder Dam Brewing Co, Evan’s Old Town Grille, Fox Smokehouse BBQ, Grandma Daisy’s Candy & Ice Cream Parlor, Milo’s Cellar, Remedy’s Tavern and Southwest Diner.

Additionally, there will be silent and live auctions, an electric chair auction as well as music and dancing.

 Darlene Burk, chairwoman of the gala, said many of the auction items are valued from $250 to $3,000, including trips, jewelry and a moped. The silent auction will feature about 90 pieces, including some gently used items in good condition. 

She said she is especially excited for the electric chair auction, a new feature this year. The auction was the idea of Milo Hurst and features five specialty items. Names will be drawn for the “electrified” chairs, which have been decorated with lights. The winner will then have the option of keeping the item or auctioning it off, with 40 percent of the price being donated to the Public Art Scape project and 60 percent of it the prize.

The nonprofit organization was born out of Burk’s love for art. She gathered together people she knew who had an interest in the downtown area, promoting tourism in Boulder City and a love for the arts.

The group’s first piece, a bronze statue of a frog titled “The Kiss,” inspired it to find more art and artists who would be willing to display their work for a year in return for a small stipend and possible sale. To date, artists have come from places such as Arizona, Utah, California, Texas, Minnesota and Georgia. 

Pieces are changed annually in May.

Many of the pieces have been purchased and then donated back to Public Art Scape, which in turn donates them to the city so they can be properly insured, according to Burk.

The gala is the organization’s major fundraiser for the year. It also accepts donations and keeps a small percentage of the price when artwork is sold.

Traditionally, the event has raised about $22,000 for Public Art Scape.

“I would very much like to exceed that. With the economy, I am just happy with whatever people (give),” Burk said.

Money raised by the group is used to purchase pieces occasionally and to insure the art while it is on display before it is purchased.

Burk said she expects the gala to attract 200 to 250 people.

Tickets for the semiformal event are $45 per person and are available at 509 Hotel Plaza.

For additional information, call 702-293-7731 or visit www.publicartscape.com.