Sonoma's 22nd Annual Salute to the Arts
A tribute to the art of food and wine presented through literature, film, drama, and the visual arts.

About Sonoma Salute to the Arts

The Mission of Sonoma Salute to the Arts / Proceeds / Sponsorship / Behind the Scenes / Special Wine Offer / See Also

An elegant and vibrant festival for connoisseurs, Sonoma's annual Salute to the Arts brings together visual, performance, and literary artists; and Sonoma County chefs, food producers, and winemakers.

This sumptuous, bountiful gathering attracts connoisseurs from throughout the Bay Area and across the nation, firmly establishing the name 'Sonoma' in the memories of those who attend, enticing them to return year after year. Events are themed each year. 2006's theme was"Sonoma Salute to the Arts Comes of Age!" ~ Celebrating with food, wine, art & music at the Peak of Perfection!"

This year's theme is: A tribute to the art of food and wine as presented through film.

The Salute Celebration will launch this Northern California ultra premium masterpiece in Sonoma Plaza on Friday evening, August 3 at 6 p.m., with the unveiling of the Salute to the Arts Visual Art Competition, followed by the opening of "Sonoma's Secret Spaces" at 7 p.m. Sample sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and wine at each Secret Space where food and wine movies set the stage for this year’s theatrical extravaganza. Indulge your sweet tooth at Chocolat, also featuring Ceszanne’s Peaches of Paris; slip into the deep south with Fried Green Tomatoes; take part in the harvest at Crush; savor the seductive flavors of Under the Tuscan Sun; and feel the magic of Simply Irresistible. Be sure to get your passport stamped in each Secret Space and enter to win a drawing at 10 pm!

Sonoma Salute to the Arts, the festival's showcase of the culinary, winemaking, visual, performing, and literary arts will take place in historic Sonoma Plaza on Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5, with food and wine tasting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and music and art from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Big Night ~ Sonoma Salute to the Arts Live Auction and Feast will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday evening, August 4, at Jacuzzi Winery.

Please see Your Invitation, and the Calendar of Events for additional event information.

The Mission of Sonoma Salute to the Arts

Founded in 1986 to showcase the food, wine, and art of Sonoma, Salute to the Arts raises funding for Sonoma Valley non-profit arts and cultural organizations.

In 2000, 2001, and 2005, the City of Sonoma has recognized the success and influence of Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance and Salute to the Arts through proclaiming the period when Salute occurs to officially be SONOMA SALUTE TO THE ARTS WEEKEND.

Proceeds

As Sonoma's aesthetic centerpiece and most dynamic fundraising vehicle for the arts, Salute to the Arts generates proceeds for numerous non-profit arts, cultural, and educational organizations. The Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance, the festival's 501(c)(3) non-profit sponsor, contributes net proceeds to participating organizations each year. Through Sonoma's annual Salute to the Arts, the Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance also funds scholarships for high school seniors interesting in pursuing careers in the arts. The scholarship fund, established in 1998, provides awards for music, visual art, theater art, and literary students. In 2002 awards for promising culinary students were added.

The Arts Alliance has contributed more than $600,000 to Sonoma arts and cultural organizations and programs through Salute to the Arts proceeds since its inception.

See also: Benefitting Organizations

Sponsorship

The weekend of events provides extraordinary exposure for sponsors through promotions, advertising, and presentation to 25,000 plus consumers. Sponsorships in a range of values are available.

Artwork by well known artist Claudia Wagar, as well as media sponsorships valued at approximately $200,000, will assist Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations, the festival's founder and producer, to reach this targeted audience.

Sonoma's 22nd annual Salute to the Arts is sponsored by ABC7, American Airlines, KGO Newstalk AM810, Viking Range / Gene Schick Company, WineCountry.com, AT&T, BMW of North America, LLC, Buena Vista Carneros Winery, GPM, Solano Magazine, Wine Country This Week, and Wine Country Weekly Real Estate Reader. A complete list of sponsors is available by clicking here.

Become a sponsor!

Sponsorships for the 22nd annual Salute to the Arts are currently being solicited - please join us as a sponsor, patron, or benefactor for 2007! See the Business Opportunities page for additional information.

The Non-Profit Sponsor, The Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance, established in 1986, assumed sponsorship of Salute to the Arts in 1988. The festival has enabled the Alliance to promote the arts; foster communication between artists, organizations, and the public; and to raise funding for the arts. Representatives from numerous non-profit organizations and businesses, as well as individual artists, comprise the organization's Board of Directors.

Behind the Scenes

Producer and Founder

Salute to the Arts was conceived and founded by Pat Summers of Summers-McCann Inc., Public Relations of Sonoma, California. Established in 1985, the firm has represented an array of businesses in Sonoma and Marin counties, San Francisco, and Napa Valley. Appreciation of the arts and Sonoma County's natural beauty, agricultural diversity, and many amenities, inspired the event's concept. Dedication to quality of presentation in every endeavor has guided its development.

Pat Summers ~ President / CEO
Robert Cherwink - Creative Director & Photographer
Amber McCann-Howlett - Accounting Manager & Event Coordinator
Jessica Petroni - Administrative Assistant
Susie Probst - Project & Media Relations Manager
Christine Ricketts - Production Manager & Print Coordinator

Associates

Connie McCann - Auction & Event Coordinator
Dave Ogaz - Print Project Consultant
Laura Lynn Ledson ~ Artistic Director
Jo Ann Tutor ~ Assistant Artistic Director
Sonoma State University ~ Costuming
Dianne Gray and Jo Nigro ~ Makeup & Hair
Carolyn Sanders ~ Choreographer
Sonoma Valley High School ~ Juggling Troup
Napa Regional Dance Company ~ Casting Assistance

Sonoma Valley Arts Alliance Board of Directors

Kate Murphy ~ President
Alex Flett ~ Vice President
Ann McDonald ~ Secretary
Claudia Wagar ~ Treasurer
Thomas Patrick ~ Director/President Elect
Dick Cole ~ Director
Mary Flett ~ Director
Zachary McCormick ~ Director

Salute Celebrities
- the Salute to the Arts Fundraising Committee

Starring:
Daniel Casabonne & Howard Powell ~ Co-Chairs;
Don Sanchez & Cheryl Jennings ~ Masters of Ceremony

Larry Allen & Erica Ercolano
Tom & Julie Atwood
Jim Ford & Barbara Butler
Chuck Barr & Monica Davis
Peter Babcock &Marsha Bloodworth
Bob & Selma Blanusa
Simon & Kimberly Blattner
Roberta Bleiweiss
Bill Blum
John & Annick Bouldt
Suzanne Brangham
Richard & Brenda Brooks
Ken Brown & Jewel Mathieson
Sam & Karen Brown
Dick & Brenda Buckerfield
Curt & Marchelle Carleton
Jeff Christian
Karen Collins
Earl & Patty Correa
Joe Cunningham
Steve Dale
Daniel DeStefano & Maureen Sullivan
David Oster & Jeanette Fung
Stephany Eddy
John & Deborah Emery
Art Fichtenberg
Dan Roesh & Joanne Foster
Guillermo & Junny Gonzalez
Basil Haddad
Jim & Bettie Hall
Lou Ann Hardister
Anita Haywood
Peter Haywood &
Maggie Salinger Haywood
Jamie & Kristi Herold
Gerald & Kathleen Hill
Inge Hutzel
Bob Jarvis & Cheryl Widdis
Barbara Johnsen
Don & Kathleen Kiernan
Jean Knapp
Kurt & Carol Krauthamer
Larry & Ginny Krieger
Norman Krug
Jim & Linda Kuhns
Steve & Holly Kyle
Marc & Brenda Lhormer
John & Suzanne Maib
Mike & Valerie Marino
Kay Maynard
Henry & Diane Mayo
Wanda McAleese
Lolita McKinney
Kevin & Rosemary McNeely
Manuel Merjil & Paul Curreri
Sally Mertes-Stone
Lee Meyer
Zino & Janet Mezoui
George & Buffington Miller
Christine Mueller
Nicki Naylor
Jack & Hope Nisson
Daniel Parks
Paula Parks
Wendy Peterson
Betty Pommon
Robert & Sandra Powell
Terence & Melissa Redmond
Robert & P.J. Rex
Hank & Cathie Sandbach
Morgan & Joanne Sanders
Susan Scarborough
Wilhelmina Schnitzer
Vance & Monika Sharp
Tina Shone
Mike & Jill Silvas
Sandy Snorey
Linda Sohl
Lise Sonnen
Gene & Cathie Sperring
Bob & Carolyn Stone
Peter & Michelle Tovar
Tom & Stratia VerPlank
Lynette Meehan
David Viviani
Fred Perry & Barbara White Perry
Dennis & Anne Ziemienski


Special Wine Offer

Deerfield Ranch Winery has produced a special 50 case limited edition 2003 Merlot Sonoma Cuvée featuring this year’s Salute to the Arts artwork by noted artist Claudia Wagar.

Fifty percent of sales will benefit Salute to the Arts.

Click here for details.


As a food and wine tasting event, Salute to the Arts is dedicated to responsible hospitality. We invite you to taste and experience Sonoma County's exquisite vintages while enjoying non-alcoholic offerings as well.


Sonoma Salute to the Arts would not exist were it not for the continuing support of restaurants and wineries, all of whom are solicited every day to serve up their products to benefit good causes. We invite you to recognize their generosity and to make these restaurants and wineries your first choices when dining out or purchasing wine. Our growing list of sponsors has also allowed Salute to the Arts to blossom.


Sonoma Salute to the Arts is a trademark of Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations.

Proceeds benefit Sonoma Valley arts and cultural organizations and art education programs; and fund art scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

See Also:



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