Wednesday was a blast.  I managed to get in so much stuff it’s hard to imagine it was 8 hours worth of time.  Started the day at 2 PM as I was expected to be there till around 10 PM for the conclusion of the event, and dove right into making more lessons and doing research.  Managed to get another one squared away for review, and was just starting the next one when it was about 4:30 and I was asked to come help out downstairs with some of the pieces, and be briefed on the events that would span the next few hours until I was to leave for the night.

The briefing involved our roles for the evening (security, bathroom checks, schmoozing, and keeping people off of exhibits that were unable to be moved into storage), as well as the main people who were coming and who to look out for.  Afterward we finalized the display case for the auction items, and met up with the artists who were coming in that night from the people who made some of the auction items to the music guests.  It was really cool to see the organization that went into the event, making sure everything was ready, having the caterers set up, and making the guest performers comfortable before the night.  When guests started showing up it was our job to meet and greet them, as well as show them around the gallery in a quick tour of the exhibit, as well as show them the auction items for sale.  It was neat being seen as someone who knew what he was talking about, even though I’ve only been at the gallery for a week and a bit.

The night went on and the auction started, which meant it was my job to help organize and bring out the items for sale for people to see them.  Some of the items went for some serious cash as well, and it seems to me like the gallery did a great job it getting money for their interests from the event.

Food was great, done by an indigenous chef who created northwest coast inspired foods including salmon, bison, venison, and other things including octopus (tasted gummy, but good).  As the evening ended and we began ushering people out, it was fun helping out pack up some of the items in their boxes and cases, as well as helping some patrons of the older “vintage” get their items to their vehicles (some were pretty big and heavy).  All in all it was an excellent look into the efforts that have to be undertaken by galleries to raise money especially when they’re growing the way this gallery is.