Gala Raises Money for Marco Island Center for the Arts

The folks at the Marco Island Center for the Arts certainly know how to present a gala. Saturday night, staged under a tent that would earn an approving nod from Barnum and Bailey, Art Center supporters enjoyed Motown-quality entertainment from Cahlua & Cream, a striking champagne reception, high quality dinner wines, and a scrumptious dinner menu featuring a super-fresh caprese salad, prime filet mignon, and a delightful chocolate mousse cake. All this on a crisp winter evening on the side lawn of the Island Country Club.

“It was an absolutely magical evening,” said Hyla Crane, Executive Director of the Marco Island Center for the Arts. “And to see the support of the Marco community for this little art center that could, that has grown into a really remarkable place for people to learn and appreciate the arts, was incredible. We could not have been more thrilled.”

Mary Pat and Aldo Palombo were the Gala Chairs and provided a light touch from the podium. Charlie Blum, whose Frank Sinatra show is gaining notoriety on the island, served ably as master of ceremonies. Polished auctioneer, Chris Marchand, kept things moving. And the staff of the Island Country Club delivered the seamless high level customer service that complemented the classic setting that welcomed the Center for the Arts patrons.

"Island Country Club could not have done more,” Crane gushed. "This was an exquisite way to celebrate our 52nd year. We celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2020. So, I commend and compliment Bid Bakkar and his dedicated staff for making this night more incredible than we could have ever imagined. My gratitude to them is boundless."

Over the last 52 years, the Center for the Arts has emerged as a hub for art and culture on Marco Island. With growth, the Center for the Arts recognizes the need to renovate, expand and fully activate its facility, the core of which is 40 years old. 

The Center for the Arts was built to showcase a small group of Marco based artists’ work and provide workshop space. Today the Center is serving a much larger and perhaps more discriminating clientele. There exists a need to elevate and expand its physical space to match the scope of the center’s lineup of exhibitions, educational offerings, programs, and events.

That’s why events like Saturday’s gala are so important. And the attendees opened their purses and wallets in support of the Center for the Arts' renovation and expansion needs.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the donations we received tonight,” Crane said. She said it will be weeks before an exact dollar figure can be announced.

The donations will help the Center for the Arts start the renovation and expansion process so they can provide more art for the Marco community, more places to study as an art student, and more space to share outstanding exhibitions and programs.