Once a year, something particularly magical happens at the Louisa Arts Center.  Patrons of the arts and just regular folk put on their best clothes and gather for great food and drink, enlivened by musical entertainment, and (most importantly!) to support arts programs that benefit all county and community residents.

Karen Welch, the arts center director, and her team worked long and hard to make this event happen.  Planning begins a year out, and over 15 individuals volunteer to plan, organize and operate the event.  

The gala (previously the silver tie gala) has been a tradition since 2015.  Originating as a fund raising event, it has supported the expansion of several LAC programs to provide a more complete arts experience.  It has included some of the best name entertainment our relatively rural community gets to see locally.  This reporter fondly recalls Starship appearing in 2016 and the Association appearing in 2024, but this year’s appearance by Richmond-based “The Significant Others” was perhaps the most successful in terms of getting the patrons dancing in the aisles all night long.  The heavy hors d’oeuvres were complimented with an open bar that featured wines from local vineyards on the patio, and the common areas were decorated with artwork from local artists.  A number of supporters of the arts donated gift packages for LAC to auction off, and LAC split the donations between a silent auction and a live auction (pssst – listening to a live auctioneer is FUN!)

The Louisa Arts Center just did meet its expenses last year, and is very dependent on the donations of supporters for meeting its mission.  It’s current year budget is $473,000, of which 40 per cent comes from donors sponsors and fundraising.  With that perspective, it is heartening to see that this year’s gala accounts for about 15 percent of the total budget income, which goes a long way toward meeting the LAC’s goals for the year.

Those donations support LAC’s several missions.  In addition to hosting 10-15 musical events per year, and recurring art shows in its Purcell Gallery, LAC reaches out to its community in several ways.  It hosts Sunday cultural events such as ballet, opera, Shakespeare, movies, and the ever popular Louisa’s Got Talent!  It maintains its Arts Bus, bringing arts and crafts activities to schools and retirement communities throughout the county (and neighboring jurisdictions).  Annually, the LAC hosts productions by local schools (this year they are hosting Matilda).  And “Chick’s Diner”, an original musical, had its world debut at the LAC back in July.

The gala is an annual event, held the first Saturday in October, and it is open to the public.  So mark your calendars now to attend the 2026 event.  If you looking for an incredible night out, the Louisa Arts Center Gala is just the event for you. 

Jen Bailey

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