To quote last week’s Harvard Press banner headline: “First-ever Multi-media Gallery Show and Sale to benefit COA a big success.” Indeed, it was. The two-day event (Nov. 21 and 22) was a kaleidoscope of art, music, food, and friends, old friends, and new friends. It seemed almost paradoxical, a benefit fundraiser, the artisans the vectors.
We are delighted to contribute $2,000 directly to the Harvard Council on Aging in acknowledgement for all that it does for our community.
The unsolicited offers of help and support from so many townsfolk were overwhelming. Many thanks are in order: to Laura Pearsall, vice president and branch manager, Harvard office, Rollstone Bank and Trust, who from the beginning gave credence to our business acumen, and assisted us in opening the first-ever bank account of the Harvard Artisans; Susan Buck of the Harvard Congregational Church, who offered us a free venue, and whose spirit and humor, unlike her hand, were never flagging; our local business sponsors, who even during a season of already hefty commitments, contributed to our venture; Carol Panek-Clark for publicity and planning advice, whose “it’s a lot of work” admonitions we took, fortunately, with a grain of salt; Maureen Hopper, Vicki Bilafer, and the Harvard Scouts, who with the delightful effervescence of youth, helped set up, take down, and clean up; Cynthia Coolidge of Indian Hill Music, and her cello quartet, whose pro bono two-hour Saturday evening performance overlaid and underscored the musical fabric of the gala; Chefs Lynn Cooke and Rosemary Theriault, party planners and soup makers extraordinaire; Terri Knoettner and Elizabeth Roy, for their perseverance in seeking silent auction donations; Grace Young of the Bromfield National Arts Honor Society, for her commanding Common posters; and to the many volunteers who helped make the Gallery Show and Sale such a success.
We thank all the multi-media artisans, who, with their beautiful works, made the event The event.
Finally, we thank Dave Burnett and Barbara Meyer, whose moveable feast comestibles bestowed new meaning to remembrance of things past for future COA/artisans fundraisers.
Barbara Cerva and Reba Maisel
Co-Founders, Harvard’s Artisans Gallery Show and Sale
