This year’s Garden Party was our best yet. Over 100 people filled Polly Friedlander’s Oysterville gardens for a night of delicious conversation, artfully prepared food and an auction featuring works by past Espy residents Gregory Grenon, Peter Millett and John Grade. Guests were treated to music by solo harpist Kathleen Staub.

Guests included long time Espy supporters Theodor Schuchat, Robin Du Brin and Doug Howe, Laurie Smiley and George Bennett, as well as many new faces. Seattle artist and indefatigable Espy champion Anna Skibska invited Patrica Szabo, Linda and David Shaheen, Adriela and Ares Sakamoto, Vafa and Nohl Martin Fouroohi and their daughter Sofia from Seattle, as well as Julius and Danyse Edel, who came all the way from Savannah, Georgia to join Espy in supporting emerging artists and writers.