Although Art After Dark has been held at the Theatre for 10 years, this was my first experience with the event. My excitement for this event had been building as we put together the displays for the silent auction. I had really enjoyed working on that project, so I knew that the actual event, the product of everyone's labor, would be well worth all the planning.

My task for the evening was to take care of the sales for the night's featured and student artists. It was a fabulous job because I finally got to put faces to the names of all the artists as I went around to hand out the sale folders at the beginning of the night. I spoke with many of the artists and their assistants, all of which were very warm, charming people.

Each floor was a different experience. The aroma from the food was all you needed to be lured up the stairs to each of the level's different buffets. The student art displays on the third floor of the Theatre were the ones that really caught my eye. Not to say the featured artists did not interest me, because there were several pieces I would have bought if my bank account would have allowed it, but I suppose I related more to the student artists.

I found myself returning again and again to the displays from the two students from Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. There was such originality in their work, but I felt connected to it. This was probably because if I had their level of talent, I would produce work along the same lines. It was just my style. I stared at a certain work by Tyler Gathro and discussed it with him, where he got the idea and what it meant. After we talked, I liked the piece more.

But for me, that's where the real beauty of art comes in. It is the story behind it. It is the drama that radiates from the page, the players that jump out from the colors and the lines. It is the feeling that moved the hand or the desire to pick up the brush. It is not just the finished product. It is the journey of creation. Because without all this, you might as well stare at a blank canvas.

After thoroughly reviewing the art from all of our artists, I took to the stage to admire the beautifully crafted silent auction. A richly talented musician, Goliath, was playing some Flamenco music on his guitar, and being a dancer, I found myself giving in to the music every now and then.

It was at this point where I began to really mix with the crowd and talk with supporters of the event. Everyone I talked to had smiles on their faces, denoting the good time they were having. I couldn't blame them though; my grin was ear to ear. The event was just that kind of event.

You know I couldn't really call this evening work. Yes, I had a job to do, but within the context of the evening, I had entirely too much fun for it to be called work. This event was like nothing I had ever been to or been involved with. I think it is a much needed outlet for those emerging artists in our community. To know that I had a part in that, small as it was, is a great feeling. Can't wait till next year....