Bonham, Texas -- Very early estimates are that the Creative Arts Center raised about $16k at their second annual Taste of Chocolate Gala. This gala event was held at the Complex in Bonham on February 21 and attracted nearly 200 guests this year.
The event featured live jazz music, silent and live auctions, chocolate, photo booth and more. Belle Rae’s provided a fabulous dinner buffet and appetizers for guests. Neighbors Place Winery was there, serving up their wonderful wines. There were also three tables featuring a chocolate fountain and many homemade chocolates from Sweet Dreams of Texas, Simply Wild Bread Co, Haywire Homestead and Razskaboochy Treats.
Taylor Brooke, Jessie Bryant, Chris Cravens, Sherry Hockett, Japhnee Metellus, Tatiana Murray, Krystal Skinner and Janet Vines were the eight local artists who were painting and drawing at the event. Later in the evening, their artwork was sold in the live auction. Casey Carr and Samantha Lumpkins volunteered their time and talents to be the live auctioneers. Top bids in the live auction went to a year of cookies and brownies baked by center director Sandy Barber, a longhorn and bluebonnet painting by Chris Cravens, a steak dinner cooked up by the Bonham Fire Department and a whole home air purification system from the Crazy AC Guy.
“We are thrilled with how our community came out and was so generous in their support of the arts,” said Barber. “This was our best one so far, with more people attending and more funds raised to support all we do year round.”
Board President Jenn Self Knight welcomed everyone to the event and described how the night was a celebration of all types of arts – visual, musical, and culinary. She thanked all of the sponsors, donors and guests for their support and reminded everyone that “the CAC is the place to be, and we have a place for you!”
Barber told the crowd that the center hosted 319 classes last year, which were attended by 2,063 people. The center also hosted 55 events, including art, theatre, music and farmers markets that attracted more than 2,200 people. Barber noted that these numbers only tell part of the story of the nonprofit art center. “This doesn’t tell you about the number of folks who are new to town, looking for a way to make new friends or learn new skills. Nor do these numbers tell you about all of the widows who find social connections and support to recover from their grief at the art center."
Next year’s Taste of Chocolate is already set to happen on February 20, 2027. For more about the Creative Arts Center, go to www.CreativeArtsCenterBonham.org or call (903) 640-2196 or stop by the center at 200 W 5th in Bonham.
