File photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

The Penticton Art Gallery suffered a series of break-ins recently, so their annual art auction fundraiser is more important than ever. 

On Thursday June 27, the gallery will be hosting a speakeasy-themed fundraiser in the evening, with proceeds going toward keeping their doors open. 

"Upon arrival, everyone will get a prohibition-style cocktail, we have entertainment and we've got The Vault dancers. They're going to do some 1920s-style dances," said Kristine Shepherd.

That's on top of the live and silent auctions, combining to make a busy, exciting night. Tickets are sold out currently, but there is a wait list since they are trying to fit in more tables, and anyone can bid on auction items online regardless of whether they attend.

"It'll be fun, like a real auction, a real Sotheby's-type auction," Shepherd said. 

The event comes after a tough year for the gallery. 

"Last year we struggled to sell tickets," Shepherd said. "And especially with three break-ins, we're $25,000 extra down on our budget, which kind of threw a wrench in everything."

If you miss out this year, they have plans to grow next time around. 

"Next year we're going to start working on it earlier so that next year can be bigger and better and hopefully we will have more tickets to sell," Shepherd said. 

Find out more about the Art Gallery here.