What is the Gala in the Garden?
We are thrilled to invite you to Save the Date for this year’s Gala in the Garden: Atelier After Dark. On May 2, we will gather in the Gillette Garden to celebrate a year of learning, creativity, and connection at Sabot.
Families often describe the Gala as a chance to reconnect with the heart of the community. An artistic celebration of all things Sabot–it’s a moment to pause from the daily rhythm of school life, reflect on what our children have been exploring and creating, and spend time together with the adults who make this community so special. The evening is designed as a true night out, with delicious food, live music and dancing, and live and silent auctions, all set in the beauty of the garden.
This year’s theme, Atelier After Dark: A Gallery in the Garden, offers a sophisticated, twinkling take on the art studio central to The Sabot Approach. As the light shifts from day to evening, the garden will transform into an immersive gallery experience, featuring student work from Sabot’s Atelier alongside artwork from Richmond-area artists.
More than a memorable evening, the Gala is Sabot’s foundational fundraiser, supporting The Sabot Stronger Fund. This vital annual fund provides unrestricted support for tuition assistance, faculty professional development, student-driven curriculum, and our shared learning spaces, ensuring that children’s ideas and work continue to thrive.
Ticket sales are now closed, but our Silent Auction is OPEN!
Bidding closes at 8:00 p.m. on May 2.
5:00–6:30 P.M. | Sabot Main House
Elevate your gala evening with an exclusive VIP Hour experience hosted by Salt & Acid, one of Richmond’s premier cocktail catering and mixology teams, featuring local celebrated bartenders and mixology experts. This intimate pre-event gathering will take place from 5:00–6:30 PM in the Sabot Main House and offers guests a behind-the-bar experience before the main festivities begin.
What VIP Guests Will Enjoy:
- A live cocktail demonstration led by a professional bartender
- Insight into mixology techniques, tools, and the craft behind great cocktails
- Two handcrafted signature cocktails and a non-alcoholic option.
- A relaxed, elegant setting with limited attendance for a more personal experience
Unlike a standard open bar, this is an interactive experience — guests will not only enjoy beautifully crafted cocktails but also learn the artistry behind them.
$200 per ticket | 45 tickets available
Tickets are available through April 24, 2026
Introducing the Winner's Choice Raffle. One lucky winner will choose between a luxury vacation and a $5,000 tuition credit. Two massive prizes. One winning ticket. The more tickets you have, the better your odds - buy your tickets today!
Tickets are $50 each or 5 for $200, and can be purchased until 8:00 p.m. on May 2. The winning ticket will be drawn live at the Gala. You do not need to be present to win, but you must be a Virginia resident to purchase a raffle ticket. The winner chooses their prize.
This year's Gala items recreate a design from Sabot's earliest days. The idea was sparked at an admissions event, when an alumnus arrived with his son who was wearing the very shirt his father had worn as a Sabot preschooler. This vintage logo celebrates the joy of children at play, a key element of the Sabot ethos. We are proud to bring it back.
One of the most meaningful moments of the Gala evening is our Raise the Paddle – a collective giving moment where our community comes together in support of a shared initiative. It's not an auction. It's simply an invitation to give, at a level that feels right to you, toward something that will benefit every student at Sabot.
This year, we are raising our paddles to fund the construction of an outdoor covered pavilion, a space that will serve students from Preschool through 8th grade. We are grateful to share that a generous $20,000 gift has already been made toward this project. With the support of our community on May 2, we have the opportunity to fund the remaining balance and begin construction this summer, with the pavilion ready for students in the next school year.
FAQs
What is the schedule?
5:00 - 6:30 p.m. - VIP Hour
6:30 p.m. - Gala Celebration Begins
8:00 p.m. - Live Auction
9:00 p.m. - DJ & Dancing
What should I wear?
As a celebration of creativity, we hope you let this be a night for your own artistic expression. Think textures, color, layered fabrics, sculptural jewelry, unexpected details. And since we're in the garden, choose your shoes wisely.
I can't make it. Can I still participate?
Absolutely! Even if you can't be there, you can still:
- Bid on Silent Auction items
- Purchase Sabot Swag items
- Buy tickets for the raffle
- Contribute towards faculty tickets
You can do all these things through the event.gives website, even if you don't purchase a ticket!
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR?
Fill out the Sponsorship form below and email it to development@sabotschool.org
All proceeds directly benefit our students when supporting The Sabot Stronger Fund.
The Sabot Stronger Fund is comprised of all unrestricted contributions to the school through annual giving, the annual auction, and other small fundraising activities. Sabot at Stony Point is a 501(c)(3) organization. All gifts are tax-deductible according to Internal Revenue Service regulations. Sabot’s federal identification number is 54-0804640.
