A Heartwarming Holiday Party to Benefit New Bedford Art Museum's Youth Education Programs

The New Bedford Art Museum is welcoming home its annual winter fundraiser & holiday tree sale as the event returns to the New Bedford Art Museum on Saturday, December 6th from 5:30-8:30pm. Honorary Hosts, Bill and Jean Whelan invite you to be their guests at Home for the Holidays. “This party is sure to warm your spirits and provide an enjoyable and creative kick off to the holiday season. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go to support the museum's Youth Education Programs.”
The highlight of this year's event is our silent auction of small, live potted holiday trees decorated by local artists and designers. NBAM Board President Sandy Bilodeau said, "We are very excited that this year's trees will be live trees, and each tree decorator is going to donate the materials as well as their time and artistic abilities to help benefit our children’s programs."

According to NBAM Trustee, Phoebe Dean Perry, "We are pleased this year to give two options to successful bidders: one -to take the tree you won home to enjoy and then plant in your yard; or two - to donate the tree to a local nursing home, hospital or charity, a list of which will be posted at the party. The museum will deliver each tree to the charity of the successful bidder's choice. In this way,” Perry went on to say, “the museum's education programs benefit from the winning bid and the tree can be enjoyed by the charity through the holidays and then planted in a garden to be enjoyed year round.”

“The party will be hosted amidst three very well-matched exhibits, each featuring home grown artists,” commented the museum’s executive director, Karie C. Vincent. “What a great way to reinforce the importance of having art in our lives, throughout our lives. From children to adult professionals, these artists’ work will inspire you, and our guests will have opportunities to mingle and talk with many of them during the event.”
Exhibits include: in the Skylight Gallery - HOME GROWN: 10 from the SouthCoast, in the Lower Vault - Peter Stone: Selections from “The Untouchable Tree”, and in the Community gallery - our annual youth education program exhibit What Goes Around Comes Around. Peter Stone will be generously supporting NBAM and offering you a terrific holiday gift giving idea by personally signing his books purchased during the evening.
"In light of the current economic times and the recent loss of state grant funding, the proceeds of this party are more important than ever in helping NBAM to maintain the quality of these programs through the coming year," says Vincent. “And in times like these, the gift we get from giving can feel even more powerful.” That is evidenced by all of the support and hard work that goes into making this special fundraising party happen. It is because of NBAM’s dedicated volunteers, trustees, artists, designers, florists, staff, steadfast supporters and sponsors, as well as all of the patrons who purchase tickets and attend, that we are able to continue to bring this cherished annual event to you each year. “The benefit this event brings to our community’s youth is immeasurable. We truly hope to see you there!”
Tickets $65 each, Snow Angels $200 (includes two tickets)
NBAM’s Home for the Holidays will feature outstanding hors d'oeuvres by Harriet's Catering Services, a variety of tasty donations from regional hometown restaurants, 2 drink tickets per guest, cash bar by Cardoza's Wine & Spirits, live Jazz and Holiday Music by Marcelle Gauvin one of the artists on New Bedford’s own jazz label, Whaling City Sound, NBAM’s traditional fun and affordable Elf Gifts, a diverse silent auction, and NBAM’s Youth Art Calendar Sale.

Visit www.downtownnb.org for a schedule of the Holiday Stroll events. Enjoy the fun all day December 6, including holiday shopping, activities for children, a visit with Santa, free parking at all City garages with Trolley service around the downtown, the City Holiday Tree Lighting in front of the New Bedford Free Public Library at 4:30pm. It is a whole day full of holiday fun to take part in before attending NBAM’s Home for the Holidays at 5:30pm.

Bill & Jean Whelan ~ Home for the Holidays Honorary Hosts
Sponsors: Mediumstudio; Fiber Optic Center; Mina W. E. Otis; Reynolds DeWalt; Humphrey, Covill & Coleman; Whaling City Sound; Anne Whiting Real Estate


NBAM hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day – 10 am to 5 PM Daily ; July and August, Thursday’s 5 to 7 PM. Free. Labor Day through Memorial Day – noon 5 PM, Daily; AHA! Nights, second Thurday’s, 5 to 9 pm, Free. Admission: Adults $3, Senior Citizens & Students $2, Children under 17, FREE.. NBAM is handicapped accessible.
Visitor discretion is advised when visiting NBAM. Children must be accompanied by their adult caregiver.