Viewfinder: Lovely Pieces of Art Help Raise Money for Fine Art Center

’s 31st Annual Garden Party on April 3 was a smashing success.

The well-attended event raised roughly $65,000 for the education program, which also includes scholarships for children, teens and adults to attend the center’s classes, said Ken Hannon, associate executive director and director of communications for the Dunedin Fine Art Center. Co-chairs were Walt Blenner and Kathy Milam. Ed Halleran and Steve Sika hosted the event — this year's theme was “In an Octopus’s Garden” — in the back yard of their home on Victoria Drive in Dunedin.

The main attraction was a silent auction of pieces donated by local artists, as well as other goodies offered up by local businesses, organizations and friends. Many attendees took home something on which they'd had their heart set. Art pieces were had for reasonable prices, making some talented local artists accessible.

A live auction of a smattering of items, like a week’s stay in Jimmy Buffet’s former home in Key West, garnered additional funds, as did a raffle of the use of vacation homes in various locations.

The sun set over the water, the sky glowed pink and enthusiasts danced away the end of the evening to tunes by the Little Kings.

RENOVATION UPDATE: Hannon said the $2 million project is right on schedule. It should be open in time for summer camp in June. A grand opening is in the works for sometime in September.

Dunedin Patch editor Kathryn Dolac contributed to this report.