Night at the Museum to raise funds for Modesto Gospel Mission

A handful of regional artists have a mission – the Modesto Gospel Mission, to be exact – as they donate their works to help support the homeless shelter and recovery center.

The second annual Night at the Museum Art Show & Fundraiser is set for Thursday, June 16, at the McHenry Museum in downtown Modesto. The event is the brainchild of a local artist, according to Anastasia Carroll, director of development at the Gospel Mission.

“Dan Petersen actually came up with the idea. He suggested that he would donate art and then we could sell it to our donors. From there the event was birthed to include more artists and more people than just our current donors,” Carroll said.

Petersen, well known in the region for his watercolor paintings as well as his 40 years teaching at Modesto Junior College, said it’s important to him that his art be used to benefit others.

“I really believe in what the mission is doing and I have a gift that I thought might be something helpful to the mission,” said Petersen, who lives in Ripon. “For a long time I had been wanting my art to make a difference for people who had a need, an important need, whether that be physical, spiritual or both.”

Last year’s fledgling event didn’t get the publicity it needed to be a success, Petersen and Carroll agreed. This year, the mission is doing more to get the word out about the fundraiser, which will include appetizers and refreshments to enjoy while ticketholders browse the exhibit. Art will come from Petersen and other diverse local artists including Louise Bogetti, Sharon Maney, Fasm, Amie Postma, Zoe Toscano. The artists all are donating their art, Carroll said.

Most of last year’s artists are back this year, she added, plus some others who heard about the fundraiser and wanted to join the effort. There will be more than 100 pieces in the show – possibly as many as 200.

Petersen is happy to offer up as many watercolors as the mission would like, he said. He said he’s been “very productive” since retiring from MJC about 13 years ago and has about 100 paintings available to sell.

Most of his works at the fundraiser will be limited edition signed and numbered prints, although at least one original painting will be available, Petersen said, adding that his originals market at about 10 times the price as prints. He’s willing to take more originals to the event if mission organizers would like.

The mission will offer those attending the benefit works in a “broad price range” and in a variety of mediums, Carroll said.

“We will have paintings, sculpture, probably some photography,” Carroll said. “One artist is donating a piece of art made out of a dress.”

In addition to the local artists, some works from gospel mission recipients also will be on display and for sale. “We knew that we had some talented people that stay with us so we opened it up to them to participate,” Carroll said. “Their theme was ‘Freedom in Christ.’ They could do any kind of art under that theme.” There also will be art made by children, in partnership with the Art Restores Kids program.

Money raised will support the ongoing services of the Gospel Mission: food, shelter, clothing, recovery programs, the Children & Youth Center and case management.

For Petersen, those programs are exactly what he’s looking to help support through the donation of his art.

“I think it’s probably the best possible way for my work to go,” Petersen said. “It’s always nice when my work sells. It’s frosting on the cake. For me, it’s more exciting if my work can be used for a cause that can make a difference for other people.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 8:10 PM with the headline "Night at the Museum to raise funds for Modesto Gospel Mission."