The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Center 50th Anniversary Gala
The Atrium of Palos Verdes Art Center shimmered with gold streamers and gold and black table dressings and sparkled with illuminated hydrangea floral centerpieces, an exquisite atmosphere created to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Gala of The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Center.
A full house of friends, supporters and sponsors gathered October 25 to celebrate 50 years of The Circle fulfilling its fundraising mission for Palos Verdes Art Center.
Evelyn Kita, Circle President and Gala Chair Welcome
Daniela Saxa-Kaneko, CEO/Executive Director Palos Verdes Art Center
Janice Hahn Representative Kelly Cross presenting community service award to Evelyn Kita Circle President
Greg Rosenberg, Irene Rosenberg founding member of The Circle
The Circle, a group of 100+ dedicated women members, has always depended for its success on one vital ingredient: friendship. That element, coupled with a love of art, has sustained both The Circle and PVAC throughout their existence. Longstanding Circle members, including founding member Irene Rosenberg, came together at the Gala to celebrate this important anniversary.
Circle President and Gala Chair Evelyn Kita and PVAC CEO/Executive Director Daniela Saxa-Kaneko welcomed guests and shared highlights of The Circle history as well as PVAC's purpose and programs that bring diverse, inclusive art and art education to both the Peninsula and the South Bay.
Evan Brown and John Brown, entertainers
Ann Buxton, Alan Alpay, Gail Johnson, Jan Kuykendall, Sharon Ryan, Astrid Autolitano, Brooks Vogt, Brooks Vogt III, Christie Vogt, Edward Carson Beall
Gala Celebration Dinner
Kita presented a President's Award to Redondo Van & Storage for their "unique contribution" to The Circle's major 2025 fundraiser, Collected Treasures, including storage space and moving services. Its resources, added to 3,000+ hours of Circle member participation, resulted in the three-day event raising more than $75,000.
Nancy Pasquali, Lea Ann King, Judy Mitchell, Susan Moulton
Kathy Tillson, Don Lange, Patricia Maurice, Sharon Ryan, Lynné DesLierres
Sharon Ryan, Edward Carson Beall, Architect of PVAC Redesign (2013)
Lynne Shelly, Silent Auction Chair
Terri Tsuchida; President's Award Redondo Van & Storage, Laurie Halverson, Greg Halverson
Trish Lange, Debbie Richardson, Sponsor Co-Chairs
Trish Lange and Debbie Richardson, Sponsor Co-Chairs, thanked Gala Sponsors whose community support enabled the largest Circle fundraising campaign to date, reflecting the ongoing importance of art in the fabric of our community. On behalf of Sheri Gill Donor Chair, Kita also recognized the 50th Anniversary Donors for their outstanding generosity.
County Supervisor Janice Hahn's representative Kelly Cross presented a proclamation honoring The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Center for its contribution to the community. Recently, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce also recognized The Circle of Palos Verdes Art Center as a "nonprofit of the year."
Ron and Evelyn Kita, Jan and Bob Tulk
Donna Duperon, Martha and John Bauman
Jody Wiggins, Richard Terasaki, Janet Earl
Joey Anderson, Lianne LaReine, Dana Graham, Joseph Anderson, Suzanne Paine
Julia Parton, Debbie Richardson, Liz Sparkman, Virginia Butler
Sheri Gill, Donor Chair
Edward Carson Beall, the architect of the 2013 redesign of the Palos Verdes Art Center building, spoke fondly of the many years that he and his wife Susie created fundraising events to bring Art Patrons and other supporters to PVAC.
Chef Dora presented a memorable dinner, including passed hors d'oeuvres "surf and turf" dinner and dessert. Music filled the air, with much loved tunes, performed by the talented John and Evan Brown, both amazing first-class guitarists. Guests captured memories of the evening with their friends in a Gala Photo Booth. A Silent Auction, filled with art and other tempting opportunities, completed the evening's activities.
The Circle of PVAC is deeply grateful to its Sponsors and to its Peninsula and South Bay friends who attended the 50th Anniversary celebration. President Evelyn Kita invited all to join The Circle in "making the next 50 years outstanding for their support of the arts in our community."
Greg and Liz Sparkman
Mike and Debbie Richardson
Don Hughes, Janie Hasselman
Sheri Gill, Kathryn and Bob Ettinger, Carolyn and Roy Harrington
Gala Guests, Chef Dora caterer, John & Evan Brown entertainment