#Providenciales, February 7, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – On January 2019, the Edward Gartland Youth Centre in collaboration with The Shore Club, Gilley’s Enterprises, Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty and Finishing Touch, hosted ‘An Exclusive Evening of Art’. The event was another success by organizers and those attending the event.

The fifth annual event was hosted for the second year, in the ballroom at the exclusive Shore Club Resort and featured a collection of art work from local and international artists with a special section for artwork by local youth. The all-inclusive event provided to guests a welcome drink cocktail, canapes and food stations, open bar, live entertainment by youth singer Erica Pinales and a live and silent auction.

Over twenty different local and international artists had their work exhibited in the show which included a wide range of different mediums of art from acrylic and oil paintings, photography, pencil portraits, ceramics, digital art, jewelry and woodwork.

Fine art consultant and visual artist Susie Cortez, with over twenty years’ experience working in the field of art education was this year’s feature artist, and alongside displaying her works, she also created a masterpiece live on stage that was then sold in the live auction segment of the evening. Works from renowned Turks and Caicos native, Bradley Theodore were also available for purchase at the event.

The live auction with auctioneer Todd Foss, of Grace Bay Car Rentals, was fun and exciting, allowing guests the opportunity to outbid each other of specially selected donated pieces of art by the artists in the exhibition and two amazing donated stays from the award-winning resorts Beach Enclave and Sail Rock Resort.

Presentations for the purpose build Music Studio and Amphitheatre were unveiled and we were thrilled to receive a $5K pledge from Global Capital towards this exciting project.

The evening did not end there! Guests were moved from the fabulous ballroom and into the beautiful courtyard where DJ Viper of Lucid Illumination kept the party going and attendees danced the rest of the night away.

Galmo Williams, Founding Member of the Edward Gartland Gartland Youth Centre states: “The Art Show has had another successful showcase and it was truly amazing to see the talents of the Turks and Caicos artists on full display. Gilley’s Enterprises is proud to be a part of this event and would like to thank the organizers for their efforts”.

There is a vast amount of behind the scenes work that happens to make this event the success that it is and Tanis Wake-Forbes of Finishing Touch and a team of designers donate their time to plan, curate, setup and take down artwork over a three-day period alongside members from the Shore Club. “Finishing Touch has handled the set up and arrangement of art pieces from the outset and it is amazing to see how the artists’ work has evolved over the last five years. It is very gratifying to be involved in such a worthy event that benefits our youth and showcases our local talent” commented Managing Director, Tanis Wake-Forbes.

Director for the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, Roxann Wake-Forbes, added “we were so grateful to see the amazing support from the community and the art that was displayed was so diverse that we really felt that we had something there for everyone’s taste. An exquisite venue, great food, beautiful art and wonderful people, the event was definitely our best to date!”

“Our 5th Anniversary of the Art Auction was the best ever, with a record amount of money raised for the Ed Gartland Youth Centre. Our deep appreciation to Roxann, Gilley, all the sponsors and artists, and the Shore Club for their great support and service in an unrivaled venue”, remarked Joe Zahm, President of Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty:

Karen Whitt, Hartling Group Vice-President Sales, Marketing, Brand Development stated, “The Turks and Caicos Islands are filled with so many caring individuals who joined their efforts into making lives better for those in our beautiful community. Equally as impressive is the gifted and kind-spirited artists who come together for this wonderful cause. The Hartling Group is so proud to be a part of such an amazing event, and we applaud the organizers and contributors who donated their time, talents and resources towards the success of the Art Show.”

The Edward Gartland Youth Centre would like to thank all of their sponsors, supporters and the community who came out to support the event and help raise funds for the centre.

The Shore Club, Gilley’s Enterprises, Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty,  Finishing Touch, Edward Gartland, Projetech, Turks & Caicos AIDS Awareness Foundation, Outside the Box Advertising, Wine Cellar, Bradley  Theodore, Spotlight Communications, Susie Cortez, Sunshine Nursery, DJ Viper, Beach Enclave,            Grace Bay Club, La Vista Azul, Art Show Design Committee, Provo Children’s Home,    ECGYC Members, British West Indies Collegiate, ECGYC Staff, Local/International Artists, Harvest Volunteers, ECGYC Volunteers, Unicorn Bookstore, ECGYC Board of Directors, Sail Rock Resort, Todd Foss – Grace Bay Car Rentals, Thrive

About the Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre

The Edward C. Gartland Youth Centre is a non-government, non-profit facility that aspires to “Empower the Spirit of Youth”. It opened its doors in November 2008 and caters to youth between 11 and 18 years of age and offers a wide range of free extracurricular activities. The centre’s focus is on empowering young people with skills, information and confidence in a safe and inspiring environment.

Please call 331-9602 for more information

Release: ECG Youth Centre