Darkhorse Legacy Gala

Saturday, January 11th 2025 | 5 pm - 9 pm

We invite you to the Darkhorse Legacy Gala, a grand event and fundraiser hosted by Ferrari Gallery to support our combat veterans.

Debra Ferrari, the artist who began the Darkhorse series paintings in 2013, will be concluding this collection on January 11th with the final eight paintings out of 25 available for collectors. This is your chance to own an original painting from the poignant Darkhorse series, which started after Debra Ferrari learned about the tragic loss of a Marine unit, where 25 Marines were killed and 200 were wounded in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011.

This collection supports the Darkhorse Lodge, a recreational facility for all combat veterans in Tennessee. Proceeds from the paintings go to the Lodge, and the rights to the paintings will also be held by the Lodge to continue fundraising efforts.

Please join us for this memorable evening on January 11th. VIP tickets and general admission tickets are available, and we welcome sponsors to support a table. Purchase your tickets today and be part of an unforgettable night.

5:00 - 6:00 pm: VIP Ticket Reception & Table Sponsors

Valet, Check In, Cocktails/Mocktails & Passed Hors d’oeuvres, Meet Gretchen Catherwood, Debra Ferrari, Maura Chippendale, combat veterans & guests of honor. Receive a first look at the Darkhorse paintings with early bidding and access to a VIP only print raffle.

6:00 - 7:00 pm : General Admission & Silent Auction

Valet, Check In, Cocktails/Mocktails, Gourmet Food Stations, Tour Ferrari Gallery, Bid on Your Favorite Darkhorse Paintings, Shop Darkhorse Art Prints, Meet Combat Veterans & guests of honor

7:30 - 8:30 pm: Panel Discussion
Enjoy a sit down talk with Gretchen Catherwood, a Gold-Star Mother & Founder of Darkhorse Lodge, Darkhorse Artist, Debra Ferrari and Blue-Star Mother and friend who inspired Debra to paint the Darkhorse series, Maura Chippendale. Moderated by our very own Creative Experiences Director, Charlie White.

8:30 pm : Auction Closes

9:30 pm: Event Conclusion

Event Donor/Sponsor Contact Form

Event Donations Through Darkhorse Lodge

Purchase VIP & GA Tickets

Debra Ferrari

An acclaimed contemporary artist best known for her paintings inspired by nature and light, artist Debra Ferrari relies on the processes of layering and rendering organic shapes and patterns to narrate the relationships and experiences seen and felt in our natural world. Her unique painting techniques of brush work and troweling punctuate her art with depth and light, drawing the viewer closer to the story that lies inside the painting.

Ferrari explains, "My paintings are emotional stories about my love for nature depicting beautiful spaces and transporting my viewers to places in time and memories of their own experiences in the natural world."

View Art by Debra Ferrari

The Darkhorse Collection

The Darkhorse Collection was inspired after a story Debra heard in 2013 on NPR about the brave Marines of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3/5) who faced immense challenges, death and sacrifices in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011. The first painting started as a tribute to the battalion. Later, Debra was moved to create a painting for each life lost in the 3/5 by her friend and Blue Star Mother, Maura Chippendale.

The collection will consist of 25 paintings in total. The final eight oil paintings will be available on January 11th at Ferrari Gallery. A portion of art sales from the collection support the Darkhorse Lodge, benefiting combat veterans.

NPR Story

The Darkhorse Lodge

Nestled in the heart of the Tennessee Countryside, Darkhorse Lodge is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring our nation’s heroes by providing a peaceful atmosphere for combat veterans to enjoy rest, relaxation, recreation, and camaraderie. With five guest cabins, Darkhorse Lodge offers 25 rooms (each named in honor of the Marines of the 3/5) where veterans of all branches can book their retreat or coordinate reunions. Darkhorse Lodge is founded by Gold-Star parents, Gretchen & Kirk Catherwood, in honor of their son, LCpl Alec Catherwood and his Marine unit. Darkhorse Lodge officially opened its doors in September 2023.

Darkhorse Lodge