Commentary: Art, Wine, & great food all benefitting the local Arts Community

One of the things that always get cut when times get tough is the arts. Regardless of what the environment is it always seems that art programs at schools or in the local community get slashed when the financial belt tightens. Even artists selling their paintings, sculptures and prints are hard hit in economic slumps because they thrive on discretionary spending which invariably dries up during these difficult financial times.

That’s all the more reason to enjoy a night out in support of our local arts community!

In just under three weeks the 4^th Annual TPC/West Ranch Art & Wine Gala will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Oaks Grille in the clubhouse at TPC Valencia. This is an incredible event that mixes great wines, stunning artworks and a sumptuous four course meal all in an exclusive evening of elegant fun.

The best part about it is that the local Santa Clarita Valley arts community will benefit immensely by the evening’s festivities and Art & Wine Auction. As planned, each year the event will evaluate local arts groups and will add new recipients based on the expected fundraising. This year’s beneficiaries of the fundraiser will the Santa Clarita Ballet Company, The Canyon Theater Guild, the Joe Ranft/CalArts Alumni Scholarship Fund and the PAC K-12 Arts Education Outreach Program. This Gala is the only charitable event that raises funds for our local arts organizations here in the Santa Clarita Valley.

I for one am very excited about the evening as this event has really taken on a life of its own and is doing such good for the local arts community. It is an event that will continue to grow for many years to come and will continue to have an incredible impact on the budding local visual and performing artists. It is a thrill to be part of it and to have so many great partners involved. This year’s event is being produced by Michele Golden and is Co-chaired by Guy La Large, Greg McWilliams, Don & Cheri Fleming, Michael Young, and Howard Green.

What’s even more terrific is that the event has taken off with an awful lot of word of mouth. The event has been nearly sold out for months based on the experiences that people had during the first three events. The one aspect that everyone seems to relish is the exquisite meal that Oaks Grille Executive Chef Daniel Otto conjures up each year. As one of the organizers, I can tell you that we have given Chef Otto free reign to create a meal that he wants to do that will blow you away; after all it’s the culinary arts too!

Some tickets are still available through the Valencia Wine Company on Town Center Drive or for more information email [email protected]. The event is nearly sold-out but  there are still some tickets left for this great event. Act now if you would like to be at what will surely be the fundraiser of the year!

I hope that you will come out and support the local arts community!

Dave Bossert- Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.