On Saturday, May 18th, Field Arts & Events Hall hosted our first annual fundraising gala. The event was completely sold out, with 240 guests coming together to celebrate and support the arts in Port Angeles.
Guests were welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne, wine, or sparkling cider upon arrival, setting the tone for an evening of celebration. As they mingled during the cocktail hour, attendees explored a diverse array of silent auction items generously donated by local supporters and businesses.
AUCTION ITEM SPONSORS
Art of the Pie, Kenny Fredrickson, Mark & Jan Fischer, Scott Swingle, Leonetti Cellar, Cruise Planners, Retired General Richard Hearney, USMC, Christopher & Lisa Thomsen, Alda Siebrands & Kris Slack, Scott Scherer, Seattle Theater Group, Cabled Fiber & Yarn, Jeff Merrill, Amanda Bacon & Todd Ortloff, Black Ball Ferry Line, The Butchart Gardens, Malahat Skywalk, The Royal BC Museum, Chateau Victoria Hotel & Suites, Cedars at Dugeness, Olympic Music Festival, Lazy Soul LLC, Nathan West, Meany Center for the Performing Arts, Best Friend Nutrition, Matt Deines, Penny Campbell, INSIDE by Van Dyke Hardwood Floors, Marielle & Bart Eykamans, Judith Morris, Pili Meyer, Nancy Chambers
At 6 PM, the guests were ushered into the magnificent Donna M. Morris Theater for a private concert with local artist Jennifer Thomas, a Billboard-chart-topping, award-winning pianist, violinist, and composer. Jennifer captivated the audience with selections from her new album, “Oceans,” a performance elevated by stunning visual effects. These effects, created by our talented Technical Director, Kendall Mahoney, highlighted the cutting-edge lighting capabilities of the theater and created an immersive experience.
Following this breathtaking performance, guests moved to the Sunset Lounge for a gourmet three-course meal, prepared and catered entirely in-house from our onsite kitchen. The sunset dining experience, complete with stunning dishes, centerpieces, and scenery, complemented the evening’s artistic highlights.
During dinner, professional auctioneer Jay Fiske led a live auction and “Fund-a-Need” paddle raise. Jay encouraged attendees to open their hearts and wallets, resulting in an incredibly successful fundraising effort.
The gala raised a gross total of over $216,000, with a net of over $181,000. Notably, $101,500 of this amount was raised through the “Fund-a-Need” paddle raise alone. The remaining funds came from seat and table sponsors, as well as auction items. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the generosity of our community.
We were honored to have the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe as our presenting sponsors, and La Vie En Fleurs provided stunning floral arrangements for the stages and centerpieces, adding an extra touch of beauty to the event.
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
7 Cedars Casino
Country Aire Natural Foods
First Fed
Mark & Jan Fischer
Pamela Flood & Steve Shafer
Fors Financial Consulting
Kelly Johnson
Jeanne Martin & Corby Somerville
Pili & David Meyer
Miller Construction
Stephen & Deborah Moriarty
Judith & David Morris
Graham Ralston & Erika Ralston Word
Cruise Planners, Kim Reynolds
KSQM, MUSIC NOT MAYHEM
Christopher & Lisa Thomsen
A total of 30 auction items were presented, 13 live and 17 silent, all donated by 34 generous donors. Following the close of the auction, Field Hall welcomed Jennifer Thomas for an intimate encore performance in the Sunset Lounge as the sun began to set.
The success of the evening would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our board members, staff, and volunteers who worked diligently to bring this unforgettable night to life.
Field Hall’s first annual fundraising gala was more than just an event; it was a celebration of community, creativity, and the power of the arts to bring people together. The overwhelming support we received will significantly impact our ongoing mission: to be a home for arts and events that brings people together and strengthens our community.
Thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and supported us in making this night a monumental success. We look forward to many more evenings of art, culture, and community at Field Hall!
