A “huge success” that has financially put the Pacific Beach Arts Center very close to starting its first phase of interior renovations.
That was the assessment by Jennifer Tandy, who chaired the inaugural “An Evening for the Arts” gala on June 20 in the Soledad Club. The gala had over 200 attendees.
Tandy said $185,000 was raised during the gala that included art sales and a paddle raise which had two donors matching whatever money other attendees contributed.
KariLyn Merlos, MaryDell Worthington, Huey Burk and Theresa Beaver. (Vincent Andrunas)
“There was a really beautiful video shown that was moving and really inspiring everyone to give that night,” Tandy said.
As of press time organizers were still determining the net proceeds after gala expenses, but Tandy said she was confident the gala brought them close to their fundraising goal so interior renovations can begin.
Joe Giezeman, Kathy Giezeman, Adam Giezeman and Mary Ann Brooks. (Vincent Andrunas)
Brian Curry, Shari Simpson, Pacific Beach Honorary Mayor Denise Friedman and Eleni Chalmers. (Vincent Andrunas)
Shiella McNulty, Darren Lee, Ellie Robinson, Pati Dubler, Kelly Gelsonimo and Vincenzo Gelsonimo. (Vincent Andrunas)
Ellen Li, David Austin, Bonnie Austin and John Chapra. (Vincent Andrunas)
Mark and Karla Stuart with Marty and David Pendarvis. (Vincent Andrunas)
Nikki Zanchetta, Anthony Gonsalves, Christina Musgrove and Bridget Beckett. (Vincent Andrunas)
Troy Pelot, Faydra Pelot, Randy Edmunds, Lynn Edmunds and Toni Robin. (Vincent Andrunas)
Jeff Tandy, Madison Nees, Karen Beckett and Downie Beckett. (Vincent Andrunas)
Rosemary Bishop, Mariana Merlos, Michelle Sexton and Leslie Dufour. (Vincent Andrunas)
Chris Olson, Lyssette Williams and Tristan Johnson. (Vincent Andrunas)
Marilyn Zanchetta, Melisa Grigolite, Anne Cass and Christina Bernardo. (Vincent Andrunas)
San Diego City Council President Joe La Cava, PB Town Council President Charlie Nieto and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner. (Vincent Andrunas)
KariLyn Merlos, MaryDell Worthington, Huey Burk and Theresa Beaver. (Vincent Andrunas)
Nadine Dunphy and Bilal Bikile. (Vincent Andrunas)
Valerie Lindgren with Thayne and Tara Yungman. (Vincent Andrunas)
PB Arts Center Gala Chair Jennifer Tandy, PBAC Secretary Linda Schmidt, PB Woman’s Club President Ellen Citrano, PBAC Steering Committee Chair Jennifer Nowak, PBAC committee member Chris Olson and PBAC Treasurer Leslie Follmer. (Vincent Andrunas)
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Joe Giezeman, Kathy Giezeman, Adam Giezeman and Mary Ann Brooks. (Vincent Andrunas)
“All the money goes directly to supporting our phase one goal in our capital campaign of starting renovations in the old library building,” she said.
The PB Arts Center is being created at 4606 Ingraham Street. Programming is already being held at the site, but limited to the outdoors, in an area dubbed the PB Arts Commons. This includes several summer youth camps covering a wide variety of creative interests, such as sewing, dance, gardening, wellness, technology, music and fashion.
“We had art sales through an art gallery, with a portion of the proceeds coming to us. There were many pieces sold,” Tandy said when describing the gala. “The San Diego Jazz Cats were the band. They were energetic and so fun. People were dancing. And Café Athena catered. There was plenty of food that was so delicious.”
Nadine Dunphy and Bilal Bikile. (Vincent Andrunas)
Tandy said PB Arts Center proponents have set a capital campaign fundraising goal of $1.25 million to cover complete renovation of the 2,300-square-foot building, all equipment needed including music instruments and a teaching kitchen, and support hiring an executive director.
“This evening helps get us very close to our phase one goal, which is renovations of the building to make it habitable,” Tandy said. “It needs a new roof, flooring, asbestos removal and new lights.”
Valerie Lindgren with Thayne and Tara Yungman. (Vincent Andrunas)
Not included in the evening’s proceeds is the $125,000 check Pacific Beach Woman’s Club President Ellen Citrano presented. Tandy said that was the second half of the $250,000 pledge the club made as a founding sponsor to support the PB Arts Center’s creation.
The event also included receiving recognitions and proclamations from various elected officials. These included Rep. Scott Peters, San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who declared June 20 as “Pacific Beach Arts Center Day” in the County of San Diego, Tandy said.
Based upon the gala’s success, Tandy said the gala will become an annual event.