Virginia Unseld, Central City.   It was a sold out event at Washington Hall on Saturday September 8 for the Gilpin County Arts Association annual fundraiser. Approximately 100 people attended. Every ticket holder was a winner as everyone left with a piece of art of their choice and a photo book on Central City and a small packet of notecards by Violet Aandres, a former member of GCAA who is greatly missed.

It was a wonderful time seeing so many locals and non-locals eating, drinking, smiling, laughing and selecting artwork and supporting the 71 year old arts organization.

We wanted even the last ticket holder to still have choices of art so there are about 10 items left on display at the gallery that each may be purchased for $50, well under their retail value. You can call the gallery for information. 303-582-5952.

There are so many people to thank- the artists and organizations who donated over 60 pieces of art or services; the people who bought tickets, the donors who gave wine for the wine wall, the GCAA Board members who have been working on this event all summer. Some individuals must be mentioned. Dostal Alley and Buddy Schmalz provided beer and bartended; Ron Engels directed the drawing, Patrice LeBlanc provided music, Rosalind Patterson and Gregg Harkenrider and many GCAA members provided refreshments, Michele Roussel, Aileen Tamai, and Curt Halstead broke speed records for wrapping purchases and handling sales; Ruth Briggs helped Ron Engels with drawing tickets; Carol Mirarck led the wine wall brigade and sold so many tickets to the event; the Mountain Ear and Register Call provided great publicity.

The newly elected Board of Directors of GCAA will be working on programming for the winter months since Washington Hall will be open this winter as an arts center for the first time. Upcoming events include the Central City Plein Air Festival sponsored by Central City Opera on September 28, 29, 30. This free event will include 20 juried artists painting within a 3 mile radius of town. That exhibit will be open to the public on Sunday September 30 from 5 to 8 p.m. for one night only.

The Plein Air Extended Show will include the paintings of Central City that are not sold opening night and additional plein air paintings of Colorado and the west. That show will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October.

The First GCAA Holiday/ Small Works Show will be November 23- December 22. The deadline for artists applying is September 30. The application form is at www.gilpinarts.org. The opening reception will be on November 16 from 11- 4pm.

The future for Washington Hall is bright thanks to so many Gilpinites who support the arts!