The 6th annual Autumn Gala at the Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens was celebrated on Friday, Oct. 15 with a little over 250 art enthusiasts in attendance.

The event included a cocktail reception, a silent auction, a sumptuous dinner, a live auction, and dancing. Music was provided by the Legendary Mustangs and dinner was tastefully prepared by New Leaf Catering in Cathedral City. Each year, patrons dressed in tuxedos or cocktail dresses look forward to an elegant night out at the museum and gardens, which is nestled in the foothills of Cherry Valley.

This year, colors of aqua and silver complimented the candlelight that provided a warm ambiance under a beautiful large white tent. Attendees enjoyed an evening of good food and friendship. Patrons know that their presence at the gala and their participation in the auctions helps the non-profit provide exposure to contemporary and classic art in an idyllic setting. Previous galas have supported continued expansion of the Kay Ceniceros Cultural Arts Building. Last year’s event helped raise funds for a warming kitchen inside the center that can be used by caterers for interim events throughout the year.

As originally conceived, the Cultural Arts Building would have the capacity to seat 450, and offer a full-service commercial kitchen for a wide variety of events. By building the Kay Ceniceros Cultural Arts Building as originally designed, Edward-Dean would be able to offer one of the first full-service conference rooms in the Pass area.

“It’s important that all of our contributors and benefactors know there is an ongoing progression of what we promised, which is campus beatification,” said Terri Bowen, Senior Marketing and Event Specialist /Assistant Museum Manager. “We follow through with what we say we’re going to do. Our goal eventually is to have a full-blown commercial kitchen, a wedding chapel, and a reception hall.”

The museum is a far cry now from what it was six years ago, before the beautification projects began. Recent improvements to the museum include a new entry way, outdoor lighting and beautifully landscaped rose gardens. Last year, Gala attendees celebrated a grand reopening of the newly renovated museum. “Our annual Gala was started to fund ongoing improvements and we have been extremely fortunate to find enthusiastic, ongoing support for this long-term project,” said Robin Hastings, Committee Chair for the Gala. “I would encourage you to visit our museum and see what all the fuss is about.”

The Gala is the museum’s major fundraiser and has grown significantly over the last several years. “It is usually a huge event and it has grown from when it first started,” said Amelia “Nancy” Hippert, President of the Friends of Edward-Dean Museum & Gardens. “It is a way of supporting the museum and that is what we all strive to do. It is a unique museum with an absolutely fantastic collection.”

“It’s a very eclectic collection that is in the museum but that reflects the interests of the people who started the museum,” Hippert said. Funds raised from this year’s Gala will be used to remodel the Rabe Gallery and the restoration of the grand Master’s paintings from the collection.

Edward-Dean is located at 9410 Oak Glen Road in Cherry Valley. More information can be found by calling (951) 845-2626 or visiting the museum’s Web site at www.edward-deanmuseum.org.