For quite some time there was a line of guests waiting to enter the gallery. No one had any difficulty finding the place to be on Saturday night, December 27, 2014, for these people were valued customers, or as it is also described, a friend of the gallery. The night was billed as Colin Fisher Studios Appreciation Party, a traditional event held every December to thank clients and friends who’ve supported the gallery, now entering its 10th year in its Cathedral City location.
As mentioned, the gallery was easy to find while search lights shined millions of lights high into the sky helping to guarantee a fan fare arrival. One guest questioned a gallery personnel, “ Why the search lights?” To which this person replied, “Tonight is appreciation night. There is no one more special than you, our guest. The search lights help us to show you off.”
Once inside, guests were greeted by gallery owner Colin Fisher, who welcomed each and every one to his home away from home, followed by Michael Harrington, gallery assistant and revered friend to everyone. No one went home hungry as Lu Lu’s Bistro Palm Springs catered the affair with two chefs preparing luxurious passed hors d’oeuvres such as lobster wontons, bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp, assorted quesadillas and prosciutto wrapped Parnassian asparagus spears. Champagne, fine wines, and premium liquor warmed the crowd as they viewed the current art exhibition, “Here’s Looking at You,” a collection of face paintings and other works of art, a final time before the show came to close. The exhibition included hundreds of paintings from Colin’s personal collection, along with Buddha heads, African masks, and studio pottery — everything with a head or a face. All were all on display for the viewing pleasure of distinguished guests including: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Taubman; Michael S. Smith, designer to the White House and United States Ambassador to Spain; James Costos, a recent appointee of President Obama; TAIRA, East and West coast resident artist to the gallery; Victor and Muriel Hebert; Joyce and Gary Hoffman; Hal and Cindy Wolken; Mr. and Mrs. Franz Lazarus; Sue Leonis; Rod Lubeznik; Tom Minder; Vicky and Bill Hood; Albie Haje; Bill Zwecker; Tom Gorman, abstract painter from Vancouver B.C.; and Carla Tak, resident artist of the gallery with husband Chris Smith; Rea Laccone; Paul Perla; Michael Scoby; Dr. James Shaner; Lee Thomas; Rod Lubeznik and Susan Goodman, among others.
An impressive roster of Architectural Digest level interior designers were in attendance including but not limited to, Shelly Handman of Chicago; Ted Tuttle of Seattle; James Dennan and John Bokina of Chicago; Marilyn Schwartz of Rancho Mirage; Michael S. Smith of Los Angeles; Muriel Hebert-Piedmont of California; Sam Cardella of Rancho Mirage; Gilbert Holmes of Palm Springs, and Darren Brown of Rancho Mirage.
Colin Fisher Studios
68929 Perez Road Suite M, Cathedral City, CA 92234
760-324-7300
www.colinfisherstudios.com
Photography by Gregg Felsen
