Penrose Community Libray Donation

The Penrose Community Library is located in a rural, unincorporated area in Penrose, CO. They serve a population of approximately 5,000 and acts as a vital link between its residents and the community.

Knowing the importance that this library serves in it's community, Martin Grelle and Classic Leather Designs donated “Apsaroke Guardian.” The library currently has this piece hanging in a quiet reading area. In the few short weeks it has been here, they have received many inquiries and compliments about the artwork. This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

Phillip Philbeck

An artist reception was held in July at the Rock Gallery of Fine Art in Blowing Rock, NC in honor of Phillip Philbeck. He personalized purchased canvases and offered oil enhancements. However, the main event was the unveiling of his newest release, "Eternal Bear Spirit," of Whiteside Mountain in Nantahala National Forest.

Silent Partner Program Going Strong

Somerset Fine Art has partnered once again with two different galleries to assist them through the silent partner program. This program allows Somerset to contribute art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes.

The Covenant

The Elsinore Framing and Fine Art Gallery and proprietor, Steve Narkaus, donated James Seward's original art piece, The Covenant, to Salem First Church of the Nazerene.

The Glory of San Pietro by Rod Chase

In addition, Wide Water Gallery in Ottawa, Illinois donated The Glory of San Pietro by Rod Chase to Marquette Academy. The Academy celebrated their 29^th Annual May Merriment Dinner and Auction on May 7, 2011 at the High School Gymnasium. This year’s theme was the Kentucky Derby. The event was attended by over 200 guests who enjoyed a Gourmet Feast catered by local restaurants and food suppliers. During hors d’oeuvres and dinner a large silent auction was held along with games and raffles, followed by a live auction.

Riecke's Bayside Art Gallery

"Grizzly Mountain"
Andy Thomas

A.L.E.R.T. stands for Advanced Life Support and Emergency Rescue Team and it has been around since 1975. The A.L.E.R.T. Bell 407 rescue helicopter is owned and operated by Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana. To raise finanical support, the A.L.E.R.T board held a fundraiser on April 16th. Riecke's Bayside Art Gallery contributed "Grizzly Mountain" by Andy Thomas. This contribution was assisted by the Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to nonprofit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.

June Dudley

“Wide, Open Spaces”

At the recent 35^th annual San Dimas Festival of Arts “National Western Art Exhibition & Sale” in California, June Dudley was one of 45 artists with approximately 225 pieces of original art. She was awarded the “Gold Award in Acrylic/Watercolor” and “Best of Show” for her painting, “Wide, Open Spaces”, a 24x30 acrylic painting. She also received the “Festival Choice Award” which is a purchase award selected by the festival committee which means her painting goes into their permanent collection along with others like Cyrus Afsary. This is the first time in the history of the show that all three awards have gone to a female artist, and only the second time in the shows’ history that it has gone to any one artist.

She is a native Texan living in the Bryan, College Station area where she has many collectors. June’s family own and operate a ranch in Grimes County which provides inspiration and subject matter for many of her paintings.

See Western Art Collector, April, 2011, p. 84-88 for an article on the show.

Richard Reyonlds

People are awed by the color and detail of the beautiful high resolution images by Richard Reynolds. A colorful display of multiple images brings attention from young and old, male and female.

They generate a buzz!
They bring traffic into a gallery!
They inspire ideas!
They ring the cash register!

Look at this amazing display at the Brookwood Community Gift Store in Brookshire, TX. This store carries a wide variety of merchandise. They sell pottery, flowers, gifts, hats, decor, and food items. The display arrived on March 9, 2011 and as of May 9, 2011 (two months later), they have sold 32 pieces totaling $5,596.60

Deck the Walls in Austin, TX has also had great success with their display. This Somerset Fine Art dealer is located near Richard Reynold's home. Thus, they hosted a one-day show in partnership with Somerset House. 35 pieces were hung for the show. The day of the show was an extraordinary sales day for the gallery. The majority of sales actually came from items other than the high-res flowers. The dealer has retained and purchased several pieces to maintain a display because of the positive reaction from visitors to the gallery.

Silver Eagle Gallery

A Time to Heal is a twelve week program that was started three years ago for breast cancer survivors. The program offers help and support in all areas of life.

This program held a fundraiser on April 15th in which the Silver Eagle Gallery donated and framed a piece by Susan Blackwood titled "Life is just a Bowl of Cherries." The contribution to A Time to Heal by Silver Eagle Gallery was assisted by The Silent Partner Program of Somerset Fine Art. Somerset contributes art to be framed and donated in the name of the gallery to non-profit causes supported by their civic-minded dealers throughout America.


The winning bid brought in a little over $400. Pictured above is Larry and Sandy Nye, the owners of Silver Eagle Gallery, Jodi Danner, one of the three women that began A Time to Heal, and Lora O'Rourke the winner of Blackwood's piece.