ANDERSON — More than 60 people came out on Friday for Artfest, a Pendleton Artists Society fundraiser that helps run Gallery 119 in downtown Pendleton.
“It went very well — everybody had a good time,” event chairwoman Karen Zane said about the atmosphere of the dinner and social event at Crystal Coop in Anderson. “The food was good. The bidding was good.”
In the end, however, the amount raised was concerning, she said.
“Our total income was $1,748.95, which is way low for Artfest,” she said.
A live auction brought in $1,475; silent auction, $390; basket auction, $268; and 50/50 drawing, $506 (after the winner donated back his winnings).
There were cash donations of $200, and ticket sales totaled $1,888.
After expenses, the amount remaining was less than half what the event has generated in the past.
“We like to get $5,000 or more just so we can maintain the gallery,” Zane said.
PAS is an all-volunteer group, she said.
The organization plans art shows, classes, children’s summer camp and more, based out of its gallery at 119 W. State St.
Artfest began more than 10 years ago as a more formal event called Art For The Heart at Blu Falls Arts and Events Center, Zane said. Several years later, after Blu Falls closed, the event became Artfest, a more casual event set at Crystal Coop.
Zane said where Artfest goes and what it looks like in the future will be evaluated.
“We’ll have some kind of art show and some kind of fundraiser,” she said.

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