Preeminent Navajo artist Shonto Begay and Karen Enyedy showcase Begay’s acrylic painting School Bound, Sheep Camp Blessing. The artwork was donated by Begay for Coconino Community College’s Palette To Palate to raise money for the school’s Fine Arts Department. Enyedy was the winning bidder of the original painting, which depicts a time in Begay’s life when he was removed from the reservation and sent to a boarding school, an experience that he says appears in his dreams and is reflected in his art. Hundreds of CCC supporters attended the Friday, April 25 gala that celebrated local artists and chefs. Preliminary estimates reveal the annual fundraising event brought in some $13,000.
(press release from CCC)
Patrons of the arts and food connoisseurs were treated to a fantastic evening of art, entertainment, gourmet hors d’oeuvres and desserts, craft beers, wine and of course art at Coconino Community College’s 12th Annual Palette to Palate, April 25.
“It was an incredible evening and it would not have been possible without all of the artists, restaurants, Palette to Palate Committee members and volunteers, staff, and of course the event sponsors and art patrons who purchased the art,” said Scott Talboom, CCC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “Special thanks goes to Flagstaff Medical Center Foundation as the overall event sponsor, live auction sponsor SunWest Bank and silent auction sponsor Arizona Public Service. Golden Eagle Distributors donated the wine and beer for the event, Pepsi Cola Bottling of Flagstaff for contributing soft drinks and Campus Coffee Bean for contributing coffee and tea.”
Many of Flagstaff’s finest restaurants: Artisan’s Kitchen, Coppa Café and Bistro, Cottage Place, El Capitan Fresh Mexican Grill, Josephine’s Modern American Bistro, Main Street Catering, Pita Jungle, Satchmo’s, Simply Delicious Catering & Café Daily Fare, The Sweet Shoppe & Nut House, Tinderbox Kitchen, Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort and Western Gold at Little America Hotel hosted guests with gourmet appetizers and desserts.
At the end of the evening, the audience was given the difficult task to choose their favorites. Best Hors d’oeuvres was awarded to El Capitan Fresh Mexican Grill, Best Dessert: Cottage Place, Best Presentation: Twin Arrows Navajo Resort and Casino.
Art was donated by many of Flagstaff’s most well-known artists: Tom Alexander, George Averback, Jay Baker, Shonto Begay, Elaine Dillingham, Jackie Eliason, Don Fethkenher, Mike Frankel, Joe Findley, Greg Hill, Kiril Kirkov, Rebekah Nordstrom, Karen Raskin-Young, John Running, Jim Schroeder, and Delores Zigler.
Gasps could be heard throughout the audience as the bidding on Student Signature Piece winner and donor Jason Oberman’s intriguing piece “Forevermore” climbed all the way to $2,700 before the final bid was awarded.
Entertainment was provided by the Alrakaasat Turkish/Egyptian Dancers and the Chase Coleman Jazz Ensemble, with Mike Frankel as the Master of Ceremonies and Will Blume as the auctioneer.
All proceeds benefit CCC’s Fine Arts Department where many of Flagstaff’s best known artists received training from the many quality instructors in the CCC art department.