The September 19, 2013 gala glass art fundraiser at the Chihuly Boathouse wasn't to raise funds for a museum, glass school, or studio. Taking a page from the highly successful benefits that have raised millions for arts organizations, the Seattle glassblowing community put on a festive art-filled event to generate money to help the local glassblowing family of Paul Cunningham and Kate Thorbeck care for their 2-year-old son, Finn, who has been battling leukemia since a diagnosis eight months ago. Between ticket sales to the sold-out event, a silent auction during the proceedings, direct contributions, and sales of artwork, a total of $120,000 has been raised to date, far surpassing the $75,000 goal set by benefit organizers.
"We are humbled and beyond grateful," reads an online thank-you letter from event organizers John Kiley, Jenny Wittlinger, Amy Vernette, Sean O'Neill and Crescent Calimpong. "We sincerely thank each and every person who helped make this benefit a reality. From our sponsors to contributing artists, donors and volunteers, we could not have done it without you. Finn's fighting and now he has your help. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
The event brought together 260 supporters and attendees, as well as an army of well-wishing sponsors who donated event space, beverages, food, and even commission-free gallery sales of big-ticket donated works courtesy of Schantz Galleries of Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Thanks to the generosity of everyone involved, every penny of the money raised will go to the Cunningham family.
Of the 17 Gold Section donated artworks for sale, nine have sold. The eight remaining works, including a Dale Chihuly Tabac Basket and a Lino Tagliapietra Bilbao, will remain for sale until December 18th, 2013, and can be viewed online.
"We thank you," write the organizers on their Webpage. "Together we truly made a difference."