Eagan Rotary Selling Tickets for Upcoming Annual Art Gala

Hundreds of Eagan community leaders and residents join together each year for the biggest social event in the city, and that time is upon everyone once again.

The 2011 Eagan Rotary Art Gala will be held on Feb. 12 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the Eagan Community Center, and is open to the public.

 This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the Art Gala and will feature live entertainment, gourmet food, and live and silent auctions. 

"There's a lot of visiting on a cold winter night," Rotarian Dave Sawicki said.

The rotary club has about 350 tickets for this event and they are selling quickly with under 100 tickets left. Tickets are $80 a piece. The event is classified as "black tie optional," and "a good excuse for [men and women alike] to get dressed up," Sawicki said. 

According to Sawicki, the Art Gala would be a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day, too.

Also, each year a different artist is featured at the event. This year, Julie Annette of Eagan will be the featured artist, and there will be a "special area set aside for her work." Annette has donated artwork to the silent auction in the past, and an original piece of her work will be featured in the live auction this year.

According to the Eagan Rotary, "Proceeds go to support Eagan Rotary’s Community Grants program, which provides funding for numerous social service, arts and education organizations."

In the past, the rotary has purchased a $50,000 fire safety trailer for the fire department with proceeds from the Art Gala, as well as the band shell at the Eagan Community Center. Thousands of dollars are also given to service groups each year that benefit the community.

"It's an important event for us [rotarians], but it's an important event for the community as well," Sawicki said.  

Eagan Rotary is looking for corporate sponsorship, too. It costs $750 for a sponsorship, which includes two tickets and recognition. 

For more information on the Art Gala or to purchase tickets contact Dave Sawicki by phone at 651-556-1399 or e-mail him at daves@e-vmortgage.com. People may also contact Mary Lynn Fabro at 651-456-5337.