I just came from an inspiring evening at a lovely art gallery here in Fountain Hills. The Emerson Art Gallery, located on the northwest corner of Palisades and Saguaro, was filled to capacity for the art reception, followed by their weekly jazz concert.

Tonight was very special in that Barbara Drake, a well-known local artist, auctioned and donated one of her paintings, “Light on the Hill.”

After a lively bidding, her painting sold for $825, with the proceeds split between the charitable foundation at Shepherd of the Hills Church, which provides funding to many local organizations such as Extended Hands Good Bank, Paz de Christo, Habitat for Humanity, plus a $1,500 scholarship to a deserving Fountain Hills graduating senior.

The other half was donated to Fountain Hills Art League’s fund for art supplied for local schools’ art teachers.

I want to thank Barbara for her generosity, as well as the winning bidder. I also want to thank the President and CEO of Brokers Alliance, David Racich, who has opened his venue to the arts in our community.

The curators, Barbara Zahno, Amanda Blake and Emily MacDonald, host a monthly artist reception in the Emerson Art Gallery on the second Friday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Center also hosts a weekly jazz concert on Friday evenings beginning at 7 p.m. Many of you know of Jazz in the Hills. Tonight’s concert featured the extremely talented Dan Siechman Trio.

I would like to invite you to our fifth annual free home-studio art tour on March 4-6. The Emerson Art Gallery will host a reception for this event, Tour d’Artistes, on Thursday Evening, March 3, from 5 to 7 p.m.

You can view all information on our website at fountainhillsartleague.com.