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I am pleased to report on the overall success of the 30th Art’s Alive! event this year.

There was a great turnout for the opening night event, which included delicious food samples from Nell Thorn’s, Anelia’s, LaTraviata, yOUR Bakery and Calico Cupboard.

Opening night had music provided by Ben & Mia and gave folks the opportunity to meet the 13 invitational artists including the featured artist: Wayne Maslin, whose sculpture was depicted on our printed materials, Facebook page and the Art’s Alive! 2014 website.

Attendance on Saturday also set some new records, and people were treated to the sounds of “Skinny Tie Jazz,” and again we offered wine and scones on a suggested donation basis.

The event was put together under a small Arts Commission budget. The art sales and donations exceeded $17,000.

I wish to thank the committee members, who worked tirelessly to provide a quality event: Pat Doran, Patty Weber, Frances Simmons, Dee Doyle, Rebecca Bolstad, Eve McCauley and Jasmin Valdani.

I have a newfound respect for their overall passion and dedication to this event, the art and the artists.

I would be remiss if I didn’t also acknowledge the La Conner Public Works crew, who provided priceless logistical help; assistance from MoNA; and the Town Hall staff including the administrator, John Doyle. I would also like to thank several volunteers who assisted in the set-up and breakdown of the show and Trever McGhee who worked and assisted the entire weekend.

I volunteered to chair the event, and in hindsight, it was a worthwhile effort, and I am glad that I did. There were ups and downs in the process of planning and execution of the event, but the efforts were well worth it.

The writer is a Town Council member and was chairman of the event, which was handed back to the town’s Arts Commission in April, when the La Conner Chamber of Commerce backed away from it.