Auction and Benefit Party at Eagle Fire Company Banquet Hall, New Hope
The Lambertville Area Education Foundation (LAEF) has announced it will honor late gallery owner, Grace Croteau, at its eighth annual Auction and Benefit Party at the Eagle Fire Company Banquet Hall, New Hope, on March 21.
Ms. Croteau, who lived in New Hope and owned and managed the Riverrun Gallery in Lambertville, died in November 2008. A native of Linden, she moved to New Hope in 1975, where she made her living as a stained glass artist and later worked for several galleries in Lambertville before founding the Riverrun Gallery in 1993.
As a gallery owner and curator, Ms. Croteau helped build the area’s reputation as an arts center, tirelessly promoted regional artists and made a significant difference in many lives. She also was a founding member of Artsbridge, the regional arts organization, and hosted its meetings for many years.
Ms. Croteau was a long-time supporter of the LAEF, hosting fundraisers, showing student art in her gallery and framing paintings and prints for the organization’s auctions.
”Our organization and the students we work for could not have had a better friend than Grace Croteau,” LAEF President Michelene Assad said. “We were deeply saddened by her death, and we look forward to welcoming her many friends as we honor her at our event.”
In previous events, the LAEF honored prominent Lambertville-area citizens who have benefited the community. Past honorees have included Jim Hamilton, Fred Lewis, Phil Pittore and Marty Luther.
The March 21 event will feature both silent and live auctions, plus food and drink provided and prepared by area restaurants and caterers, including Lambertville Station and City Market. Auction items will include works of art created and/or donated by local artists, dinners at area restaurants, stays at nearby inns, tickets to sports events and vacation packages.
Among auction items already donated are art works by Ed Adams, Jeff Apoian, Robert Beck, Tom Birkner, Chris Cosner, Sylvia Getsler, Sandy Hanna and Jan Lipes, a special dinner for eight prepared by Jim Hamilton in his home, a poetry reading by former New Jersey poet laureate Gerald Stern, and a five-night vacation stay in southern France.
The evening also will include a tribute to the late Jeannie Powell, a kindergarten teacher at West Amwell Township School for over 31 years and an active supporter of the LAEF.
All proceeds from the event will be used to support innovative programs for students attending Lambertville Public School, West Amwell Township School, Stockton Borough School and South Hunterdon Regional High School.
Tickets to the event, at $50 per person, may be reserved by contacting Holly McAndrew at 397-5498 or [email protected]. Tickets also are available at Dresswell’s, Lambertville Trading Company, The Medicine Shoppe and Walkers Liquor Store.
Community members who would like to donate auction items, such as art works, frequent-flyer miles, stays at vacation homes and tickets to sporting events, plays or concerts, should contact Chris Morgan at 903-2569 or [email protected]. The LAEF is also seeking volunteers to help at the event.
The LAEF, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit dedicated to benefiting students at Lambertville Public School, West Amwell Township School, Stockton Borough School and South Hunterdon Regional High School. The organization’s mission is to raise funds and broker community support for projects that enrich the educational experience of all students in the four schools. The foundation is run entirely by volunteers, and virtually 100 percent of its income is expended in grants.

