At 45 years old and going strong, the Patrons’ Show — The Art League’s beloved annual fundraiser and art sale — has a long and storied history. We’ve asked show veterans to share their memories of shows past. Earlier, we heard from Todd about his chance introduction to the show. Longtime attendee Sara Glendinning sent us the story below.

Thanks to Sara for sharing her story! Do you have one of your own to share? Drop us a line in the comments, on our Facebook page, or at [email protected].

“I asked a friend, after she participated in her first Patrons’ Show about five years ago, if she wanted to participate again the next year. She answered, “Oh yes, it’s an event!” Thanks to the generous artists and The Art League’s staff and many volunteers, the annual Patrons’ Show is indeed an event — the best party in town and the most fun fundraiser! Every ticket-holder at the Patrons’ Show is a winner. The art my friends and I have acquired through the years has enriched our lives and we treasure lots of wonderful memories.

Many years ago two friends each purchased a ticket and went to the Patrons’ Show with me. Both of their tickets were drawn very late (probably in the last 10%) but they could not wait to go to the Patrons’ Show the next year. Years later one of the men was diagnosed with cancer. Chemotherapy drained his energy. For months, Wayne only left his apartment to go to medical appointments. After he got his motorized wheelchair, Wayne told me he would have gone crazy if he had only had four walls to look at during the time he was trapped in his apartment. The beautiful art on his walls got Wayne through those terrible months! Wayne, and his oxygen tank, attended the Patrons’ Show seven months before he died. Our other friend introduced his girlfriend to the Patrons’ Show in 2011 and they will be present at the 2012 show.”

Sara also shares this message to art lovers who are Patrons’ Show veterans:

“The Patrons’ Show ticket-holders are all winners. I would love to have more winners among the artists who are so generous with their donations of beautiful works of art. There are currently seven awards: five $100 awards, a $250 award, and a $1,000 award. I wish each of the artists who donated the art that was selected by the first dozen ticket-holders would receive a monetary award. I hope more art lovers who have participated in the Patrons’ Show for many years, and whose lives have been enriched by The Art League, will join me in funding additional awards. What a great way to honor, or memorialize, a significant person in one’s life by funding an award for one of the generous artists who make the Patrons’ Show possible.”