Mardi Gras fundraiser benefits Santa Rosa High’s ArtQuest

Mardi Gras revelers and supporters of the arts converged Saturday on the DeTurk Round Barn in Santa Rosa for a lively and colorful celebration to benefit the ArtQuest education program.

Friends of ArtQuest hosted its third annual Mardi Gras Ball, the program’s primary fundraiser, to support ArtQuest, the award-winning magnet program for the visual and performing arts at Santa Rosa High School.

“It brings the ArtQuest community together to visibly and intensely say that ArtQuest and arts education is extremely important for our students and, really, for all of us,” said Jan Sofie, the program’s director.

“Having the support of the AQ families, alumni and the greater community says we value this.”

Enjoying Cajun-influenced hors d’ouevres, beer, wine and New Orleans-style hurricane cocktails, extravagantly attired partiers danced to the bon temps sounds of Gator Nation Band.

Beaded, sequined and mask-wearing merry-makers also bid on dozens of silent and live auction items including VIP passes to the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival, a seven-day vacation rental in Italy, a five-star wine tour and brunch at the Farmhouse restaurant, golf weekends, diamond earrings and more.