On Saturday, September 22, 2012 the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council’s (YSRAC) first annual “Harvest the Arts” event at Gallery34 brought together over 100 local artists, farmers, vintners, volunteers, performers and art and food lovers. Nearly 30 agriculturalists from both Yuba and Sutter Counties donated locally grown foods and beverages, which they prepared for tastings or allowed the student chefs of Yuba College’s Culinary program and their leader, Yuba County Supervisor, John Nicoletti, to work their cooking and presentation magic.
Some of the food and drink highlights included delectable grass fed tri-tip from High Sierra Beef, seasoned and charbroiled mushrooms from Mushroom Adventures, fruits and peach cobbler from Tony’s Fruit Stand made by The Brick, and basil/walnut pesto from Township Valley Farm. A beautiful and tasty display of melon, cucumber and strawberries from Johnson U Pick, was created by the Yuba College Culinary students. Jim’s Produce, which farms organically grown foods and sells weekly produce boxes, provided much of the event’s produce and served delicious bruschetta featuring fresh tomatoes. The Candy Box onD Street provided chocolate covered peaches and other dessert treats that melted on the palate. Sunsweet provided healthy fruit snack packs. Olive Oil samples from Calolea, Apollo, Sierra D’ Oro and Yuba College’s own 49er Olive Oil labels were savory complements to the main dishes.
There was no shortage of liquid refreshment thanks to Lucerno Vineyards & Winery, Renaissance Wines, Grant Eddie Winery, Sutter Buttes Brewery and others who provided adult tastings. Bishop’s Farm’s apple cider, River Brooke Farm’s lavender lemonade and The Brick’s cucumber water and iced peach tea were also not to be missed!
While guests enjoyed the beautifully presented and tasty food and beverages, they viewed original works by the 30+ resident artists at Gallery34 and delighted in the ongoing live pop-up entertainment ranging from singing, ballet, salsa dancing and instrumentals, to an especially lively song and dance routine performed by the Marysville Charter Academy. The all-girls theater group brought the theme song from Cole Porter’s Tony Award Winning “Anything Goes” to toe-tapping life on historic D Street. An amusing addition to the crowd was an Edgar Allan Poe character, portrayed by Bret Corey, who greeted all guests in appropriately Poe-like dress and morose demeanor.
The fundraising event included a fun and competitive cake auction, mediated by auctioneer and Sutter County Supervisor, Jim Whiteaker, with the comedic assistance of Carmen Smith, “Harvest the Arts” Committee Chair, who also MC’d the evening’s events. Raffle tickets were also available for purchase for a chance to win an original fused-glass “painting” created by Paul Boehmke.
These events do not happen without the selfless dedication of active volunteers. YSRAC warmly thanks the all-volunteer committee, made up of local artists and professionals,students of Yuba College’s Culinary program, food and beverage providers, performers, artists and countless others. YSRAC also sends heartfelt thanks to corporate sponsors Butte Sand and Gravel, Calpine, Hilbers, Inc., Rabobank, Recology, Brown’s Gas Co. and US Bank.
All funds raised at this event will be used to support the many activities sponsored and presented by the Yuba Sutter Regional Arts Council. For more information on this and other YSRAC events, please check their Website, www.YubaSutterArts.org. You may also call YSRAC at (530) 742-2787 to learn about upcoming events and how you can participate, sponsor and/or volunteer. Membership in YSRAC has many benefits including discounts to one-of-a-kind events like “Harvest the Arts”!
About YSRAC
Mission
The mission of the Yuba-Sutter Regional Arts Council is to provide arts programming, education, advocacy, assistance and service to artists, organizations and residents of Yuba andSutterCounties.
Overview
The Arts Council is an umbrella organization for the arts in Yuba-Sutter with several programs under its wings, including Borgamaria Lyric Opera, Gallery34, Women’sCreative Circle, Very Special Arts Festival, Arts Fairs, a book club, and so much more!
Description
YSRAC is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering and promoting the arts in Yuba-Sutter. We are located at 624 E Street,Marysville,CA.
Membership
Join us and support the arts in Yuba and Sutter Counties! You don’t have to be an artist to join the Arts Council; Your membership supports our programming and events, our gallery, our opera, artist services, and so much more! It also gives you discounts on the purchase of ALL original art in both galleries and, on occasion, reduced or free admission to certain events.
ALL PHOTOS BY HEATHER MEUNIER
Julie Miller is a guest contributor to The Prospector. She’s the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for AmeriForce Publishing, Inc.
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