LIVE MUSIC FOR LIVE OAK

Art center fundraiser raises over $20K

Community members and art lovers danced the night away and fundraised over $20,000 for the Live Oak Art Center, Saturday. Oct. 18, at the Southern Oaks Event Center.

Brunson Night attendees danced to live music by the Emotions, enjoyed catered food by Calle 7 Tacos and participated in fundraising activities including a silent dessert auction, bucket raffles, wine pulls and a beer and wine bar. Live Oak Art Center (LOAC) President Renee Long said the event raised over $20,000 to support its programs and operations.

“We were a little short of our goal, but overall, I think it was a wonderful success,” Long said. “…As usual, we had wonderful sponsors. The community really pulled together for us, and I am very pleased overall.

Executive Director Erin Story said the LOAC had a fundraising goal of $30,000 based on the number of tickets and sponsorships sold. However, not nearly enough people attended to match. Story said the LOAC has had this issue before and looks to improve the event to entice people to attend.

“We want this event to be more fun-focused then us asking for money the entire night,” Story said. “This is the first year we had a live band…We are hoping that because this event was more fun, then more people will show up next time.”

Besides having live music, Long described other changes introduced to the fundraiser this year that she attributed to its success. Last year, Brunson Night only raised around $12,000 and primarily had a live auction. This year, attendees could purchase $20 raffle tickets to deposit into a bucket for different gift packages.

“I think the opportunity for people to be able to buy a $20 raffle ticket and still [have the opportunity to] win something really nice was very helpful,” Long said. “One of the things about the live auction that is disappointing is that you’re cutting out a certain amount of people that aren’t even going to be able to bid on something [but] would be happy to maybe spend $100 or $20 on a raffle ticket.”

For future years, Long said she hopes to expand the silent auction options and intends to keep the bucket raffle. Story said that part of the evening’s success was having all of the event costs completely paid off beforehand due to sponsorships and donors.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors. We had all of the costs of Brunson [Night] paid off before the event, so everything that we made night of just got to go straight to the Live Oak Art Center,” Story said. “Thank you to all of our donors. We didn’t have to spend any money putting together the bucket raffle baskets.”

Brunson Night serves as the center’s primary fundraising event. The LOAC also raises money year-round through its membership program, donations and other small events. Story said the majority of the remaining financial support for the LOAC comes from grants.

“Grants are what we rely on most heavily, but our past directors just haven’t written the grants we needed, which is why we are in such a tough position,” Story said. “Brunson [Night] has given us a great runway to be able to write more grants and get us more funding that we need and not rely so heavily on the community because we know everyone is struggling in the current economy.”

The LOAC has utilized grants from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce for restoring and maintaining the building and from the Brookshire Brothers, the Rea Charitable Trust and the Texas Commission of the Arts for its events and programs. A current TCA grant supports free after- school art classes, but the LOAC must match all the money TCA provides.

“Every time somebody spent $100 on raffle tickets; they alone were supporting [over two weeks] of one of our art classes,” Story said. “…All of the money that we raised will go into our art classes and keeping the building running like facilities and administrative costs.”

The event’s name, “Brunson Night,” serves as a tribute to the Brunson Saloon, the historic building where Live Oak Art Center calls home. According to the Texas Historical Commission, German immigrant Charles Brunson built the Brunson Building in 1891. From 1898 to 1907, the building witnessed much of the violence from the Reese-Townsend Feud. The feud ended with the arrival of the Texas Rangers who took over law enforcement activities. The building was last utilized as a saloon in 1919. The Live Oak Art Center was formed in 1954 and moved into the Brunson Building in 1986.

Supporters can make donations or purchase membership at www.liveoakartcenter. org/membership- support.