The smell of homemade pies filled the gallery Saturday, as Standing Rock Cultural Arts, a nonprofit cultural arts organization, hosted the 26th Annual Pie Festival fundraiser to raise money for the operating expenses of the gallery. 

Individuals who attended the event were able to purchase whole pies and slices of pie and bid on art pieces in the silent auction. The gallery also had live music for customers in the store. 

Anita Gontkovsky, assistant at Standing Rock Cultural Arts, has been around for about 10 of the pie festivals and said having the pies brings people into the gallery. 

“We’re trying to get our solar panels and batteries updated,” Gontkovsky said. “It’s all tied into the operating funds and the programs we present and we do a lot with children as well.” 

This year, the gallery started the day with 22 pies and worked on making more for the rest of the day. 

“It’s hard to say what the most popular pie is,” Gontkovsky said. “People like apple, strawberry, strawberry rhubarb, everyone has their own favorite.”

Jeff Ingram, the executive director of Standing Rock Cultural Arts, handmade the pies with whole-wheat flour for the crust and was in the process of making the pies as he spoke about the event.

“We’re a nonprofit art education organization whose mission is to build community through the arts,” Ingram said. “The pie festival started in 1997 with just five pies and has since grown.” 

Ingram made many of the pies but said people donated pies and nut rolls for the event as well. 

The silent auction was also going on throughout the day as people came in and bought pies. 

“The pieces are mostly from local artists,” Gontkovsky said. “We have pieces from artists such as Robert Wood who lived in Kent most of his adult life and is kind of legendary.” 

The gallery walls were full, with about 25 art pieces that were up for auction, including singular pieces, a series of pieces and even objects such as plates and a guitar. 

“We’ve had about six people so far, but we’re excited to get more throughout the day as the music starts and more pies come in,” Gontkovsky said. 

For more information about Standing Rock Cultural Arts and the many programs they offer, visit their website. 

Adrianna Quinlan is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].