I said I’d post this event yesterday to complement Mat Gleason’s Huffington Post article on why artists shouldn’t donate to charity events. (See his post below).  In respect to the many charity events I’ve donated my time to through the years this event was exceptional. All one had to do was look at the sea of art and rainbow of people at the Bronco Stadium/Mile High, United Club Room, Thursday night.  I overheard there were 1,200 people in attendence and, the last auction item I witnessed, sold for $3,000. I checked periodically on the silent auction pallette-paintings and not one had a bid of less than $100. There were over 100 pallette paintings by local artists.

Following the Boot Scootin’ Boogie over to the live auction where the event took serious wing, people were introduced and thanked for their support.  The programs were explained while a pretty, local tv celeb presided over the chitchat.   Sadly, I didn’t hear the announcement that Candice Pulliam, after 12 years as the queen of art gathering, sorting, labeling, handling, and curating the event, was hanging up her cowgirl volunteer spurs.  It was Pulliam who created the non-pareil pairing of professional artists to the Denver patients in art therapy. This bit of brilliance was instrumental in creating an eminent and prosperous program that brought to the gavel desirable and valuable art. Through Pulliam’s efforts and year long labor of love, the association has been successful in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Alzheimer’s research through the silent and live auctions.  It should be noted that through her expertise and strong relationships with local artists, she annually lassoed a herd of artists and, we’re talking well known artists: Zoa Ace, Anita Mosher, John Harrell, Kit Hevron Mahoney, Madeleine O’Connell, John Ambrosino and hundreds of others who donated original art and time to this organization.  Candice’s success gave credence to the many art requests artists so dread. In turn, despite her hesitancy to ask, Pulliam knew that bringing well-known artists on board equaled money for this event.

Here’s  a big thank you  for the kindness and respect Pulliam has shown the organization and especially for the art and artists – next year will not be the same without Candice. Note: Perhaps Mat was right-on in saying that art charity events have become tiresome and costly to careers.

Photos: top, pallette painting

Tami Otis, artist

Painting by Zoa Ace