Abowd to sign books at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery on Saturday

Way back in 2012, when the economy was still emerging from a rough patch, Cafe at Adele's underwent a redesign and menu change in order to create greater community accessability.

The revamp featured art provided by Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, adding to a more approachable abience, provided an informal gallery that showcased and supported area artists and "we even sold some art," said Chef Charlie Abowd, who co-owned the restaurant with his wife, Karen.

What began as a business partnership has grown into far more through the past 12 years. In the latest collaboration, Artsy Fartsy hosts a booksigning Saturday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., for Abowd and his newly released "Recipes and Rambles That Made Adele's a Nevada Hot Spot."

Books can be purchased at the event and those who ordered online are invited to bring their copies for Abowd to sign.

"Wait a minute before we go any further, " said Jefferey Pace, gallery owner. "Charlie and Karen have this story about how we (Pace and his husband, Gabriel Aguayo) did something so important in helping the restaurant as they went in this new direction.

"What really happened, is these two wonderful people took a chance on a couple of little homos, and because they embraced us, we moved from selling art out of a garage to buying and opening the gallery and now owning the entire block.

"It all happened because they believed in us and the community followed their lead," Pace said.

The condition was that Karen would come to the gallery each month and select specific pieces, "so I could get used to her taste and learn what she wanted to see in the restaurant," Pace said, laughing. "She came to the gallery once, and after that she let me choose."

As time moved on, busines became friendship became an abiding love and respect, birthing a tradition that Pace wouldn't close the gallery on Christmas Eve until Charlie, after closing the restaurant, had come to pick up last minutes gifts.

Pace and Aguayo have also long supported The Greenhouse Project, founded by Karen, providing sponsorships and auction items each year. Last year's offering was a shopping spree at the gallery and, according to Pace, will be an even more spectacular retail therapy session this year.

"Charlie and Karen have always been generous in giving back to the community, and they inspired us to do the same," Pace said. "This community has given us so much and thanks to their generosity, Gabe and I have been able to give $900,000 so far to various organizations with no plans to stop.

"We look forward to hosting Charlie and the community in the garden."

Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery showcases original, one-of-a-kind works by Northern Nevada artists and is located at 405 N. Nevada St., Carson City. Visit artsyfartsyartgallery.com or call 775-885-ARTS (2787).