Quentin Walter, Tim Glover and Lynn Johnson. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Culture vultures gathered post-Thanksgiving at Stouthouse and went mad over martinis – chocolate, lemon or dirty – during a fall fundraising event, Intimate Collages and Visions of Stouthouse.

The secluded artists’ retreat is a secret haven located on a wooded acre of land just a stone’s throw from the Intracoastal Waterway, a place where artists can nurture their creativity uninterrupted by the distractions of everyday life.

The evening featured the original collages and limited-edition cards by Stouthouse artistic director Quentin Walter, along with the sounds of Maurice Sedacca, a jazz and Latino guitarist known for his romantic Spanish guitar music.

Fairy lights and a crackling fire set the tone for a magical evening of art and music out on the deck, amid the native vegetation and cool winter breezes. Inside, guests sampled hors d’oeuvres created by retired Chef Huey Zaplin, while perusing stained glass designed by the late Weldon J. Stout, pieces from the STAF (Seth Thelonious Alvin Foster) Collection and a selection of Walter’s work.

Proceeds from the evening will aid in funding a studio expansion project for the nonprofit, will further the preservation of the home and stained-glass installations designed and executed by Stout, and will allow for the maintenance of the STAF Collection.

The evening’s theme hinted at the underlying reason for the evening’s gathering, said Walter. The idea was to give a nod to the past and, with the unveiling of the design for the new building, showcase what supporters envision for the future.

Walter said the planned building, which will replace the current artists’ workroom, will feature a 3,800-square-foot, three-story, environmentally sustainable studio for forward-thinking artists concerned with ecological stewardship. The addition will include an archive, larger studio space, and a place for the artistic director to live, so that an artist-in-residence can inhabit the historic Stouthouse building.

“It’s all about the art,” said Walter. “Stouthouse is a legacy for my husband. I have an awesome collection of over 100 artists to preserve and wanted to give artists the gift of time; time away from their daily routine so they can focus on their art.”

For more information, visit stouthousewhereartistscreate.org.