A raffled Moss print brought more than $1,500 and the auction raised more than $5,000 for charity.
On Friday, Moss took the time to chat with each admirer while they had their art autographed as a constant stream of visitors patiently waited their turn.
With an impressive inventory, available for viewing were original watercolors, gilcees and offset lithographs, as well as other Moss items including porcelain ornaments.
Known as "The Peoples Artist," Moss is known for her artwork full of love and appreciation for the world around her. Well recognized for her sensitive portrayal of the Amish, Moss is an artist who's talents cover a range of subjects and who has a wide following not just in the United States, but throughout the world.
The 2009 Art Show and Exhibit drew a great number of people clearly appreciative of Moss' talents from all over the state and neighboring states as well, to view the exhibit and meet the woman behind the art.
Visitor Angie Keller from Anamosa, a collector since 1986 stated upon viewing the exhibit, "This is wonderful, I am so pleased that I had the chance to have had my pieces autographed and to meet Pat."
Karmin Mullins from Center Point, chimed in sharing, "I've been a collector since 84. And I just keep collecting. I love her work!"
When a lighthearted comment was made concerning the number of years these women have been fans of Pat's, making the collectors "old", Angie commented, "The years don't matter when you collect! You're only as old as you feel...or as you act!" bringing laughter from not just her friend, but Pat as well!
Trent Tappan of Kalona was there with a picture entitled "Trent." "Trent" is a picture of a young ball player, dressed in black and gold with the number 13 on his uniform. Stating, "This is really special to our family because my oldest son is Trent, and he played on Mid-Prairie's ball team. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School last year, his number was 13 too and this print is called 'Trent.' There was no question that I would get this print. It's perfect for us!"
And others were present searching for images that seemed made just for them as well.
One visitor reported she was searching for a picture which featured The Little Brown Church in Nashua to give as a wedding gift for a couple who had just been married there. Others purchased items featuring University of Iowa landmarks, reflecting, as one gentleman remarked to Pat, "I drive by this part of the U of I campus every day. It's a part of my life."
Others were drawn to holiday images such as one Angie Keller purchased featuring three happy pumpkins, stating, "This is perfect for the holiday season ahead. I just love the smiling pumpkins!"
Pausing during the show, Pat commented on her visit to Kalona, stating, "I love Kalona! The people are so nice and so loving here. Kalona is a wonderful place to visit! I really enjoy being here."
Observing the active show around her, Doris Greiner of the Villge Shoppe and an official Moss Dealer stated, "The show is going well. It has been busy ever since we opened the doors."
The Saturday dinner was well attended with approximately 150 diners filling the church hall to enjoy a meal prepared and served by the Kalona United Methodist Women.
Several Moss groups were present at the dinner with Eleanore and Larry Johnson, Karen and Roger Bahr and Brenda Hildebrand representing their Cedar Rapids "Moss Reflections" chapter. Eleanore said, "I have been a collector for many, many years and have Moss prints all over the house, as well as I have them for family members too."
Husband Larry agreed that they do in fact have a lot of Pat's work and that he too found Pat to be "A personable, wonderful person as well as a talented artist."
Known as the "Iowa Travelers", Larry was a font of information regarding Iowa and its history, a nice sideline to the evening as well as a compliment to the local Iowa history Pat oftentimes puts within her work.
Ella Kerwood traveled from Carroll to attend the event and echoed the others there eager to spen an evening with their favorite artist, "I am really pleased to be here. I enjoy Pat's work so much. She has a way about her art that is wonderful."
Moss spoke for a brief time, regaling the audience with tales from her last trip to Italy with family, drawing laughter and nods of agreement when she revealed the adventures and chaos they experienced during a large family gathering in Italy, stating, "You know how families are!"
Proud of her grandchildren she also shared, "I love my family very much. My grandkids speak Italian very well, so when we came across people speaking Italian to me (on our trip), I just said 'hey, Sophie what did they say?' and she translated, so that's how I get along in Italy."
Stating, "I go to Italy in the spring and spend time at my house there," she emphasized her love not only for her painting but also for her Italian.
Continuing in a more serious vein Pat shared, "My life is painting, It is my passion and it is my life. I would rather work than do anything. It is very rewarding for me. I am very bored and unsettled if I don't have a day of work so since I've been here, I've been working on sketches of a little girl with a cello I've been working on. She's a little thing in dungarees and bare feet, sitting like a real lady playing the cello."
After a brief break, the auction began much to the delight of those present, hoping to snag a bit of Moss memorabilia or another of the many auction items up for bid under by auctioneer Dwight Duwa - including four very special pieces painted by Moss herself. The excitement was palpable and the bidding was spirited.
One memorable item auctioned was an exquisite quilted wall hanging that Moss painted and Pearl Yoder, member of Moss Country Friends, then pieced and hand quilted. Three additional one-of-a-kind items with Moss' personal touch were; an enamelware purse, pitcher and bucket, each hand painted by Moss.
Other items auctioned included a "Kalona Department Pedal Fire Truck" donated by Connie Sieren.
A raffle was also held during the evening with "Remarque of Serenity" a framed P. Buckley Moss printÊ valued at $525 as the first prize item, donated by P. Buckley Moss & the P. Buckley Moss Society, with framing donated by The Village Shoppe and won by Amy Brenneman of Wellman.
The second prize item was aÊ P. Buckley Moss 1986 porcelain plate entitled, 'Night Before Christmas' donated by Jean Hertig and won by: Randy Hamilton of Iowa City.
The third prize item wasÊ a 1994 P. Buckley Moss porcelain member pin, "Country Wedding," and won by Betty Hammel of Washington.
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