Social evenings in art galleries are one of my favorite things. Sipping wine and noshing on classy appetizers while surrounded by like-minded people and art—well, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Heidi and Robert Gruetzemacher, owners of The Frame Gallery in Orcutt, occasionally host fundraising receptions. These happenings are held on an irregular basis. It’s been a few months since their last soiree, but on Friday, April 1, they held such an event in their gallery.
“Enjoy an evening of Art, Wine, and Hors d’oeuvres,” the invitation read. The occasion was a benefit for the Eric Okerblom Foundation, established by Eric’s parents, Dr. Robert and Eilene Okerblom.
About 75 attended, purchasing tickets for $20, which included a raffle entry for a giclee print by the featured artist, Jill Targer.
“I have a feeling that is going to be a good evening,” a jazzed Heidi told me when I called her on Friday afternoon, April 1, to check out details.
Heidi’s gut feelings were so on point. The evening was sheer bliss on several levels.
Chef Rick provided appetizers that included his wildly popular coconut shrimp. Who could stay away from the buffet table?
John Ransome manned the bar and poured wine, while plates of homemade cookies awaited the inevitable ransacking. We can never have enough chocolate chip cookies.
Roaming around the gallery were members of the Los Padres Artist Guild, including Tina Porter and Hattie Stoddard. Former Los Padres member Barbara Alloway was on hand. She was here on vacation from her new home in London. Yes, that is London, England. Are we Santa Marians super-cosmopolitan and worldly or what?
Sharing a table and serious conversation were Angie Engelbrecht and Charlotte Ochoa. Ed and Caroline Woods, Bill and Carol Clewell, and Pat and Geri Murphy enjoyed the amiable ambience and the art.
In addition to Jill Targer’s vibrant and bold oils and acrylics, there were on display Larry Kaplan’s acrylic landscapes and Debra Hildinger’s very popular decorated gourds, as well as Heidi’s photographs and the work of Betsy Jones and Larry Delinger.
Molly Kasdan, Julie Hall, and Lucinda Ransick were also in the crowd. I was so very happy to see Christine Gerber, former stalwart of the Women’s Network, who came up from her new location in Orange County.
Eilene Okerblom told me that funds from the foundation are used for the Eric Okerblom Memorial Clinic that the Okerbloms run for the uninsured, and which fills a vital community need. The Okerbloms have also been very active in spreading the word about the dangers of texting while driving. They are proactive in educating the public about distracted driving. Eileen also told me that the foundation provides scholarship assistance for underprivileged students.
I recently checked back with Heidi, who summed up the event: “You never really know how these things [art receptions] are going to go. But the evening was fabulous,” she said, “I just had the feeling that it would be.”
By the way, during the evening, seven of Jill Targer’s paintings sold, and the Eric Okerblom Foundation benefited nicely from ticket sales.
Another Frame Gallery evening with art, this time benefiting a local school, will be held in July.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 5, 2016.