On behalf of the 27 members of Penn Cove Gallery, and particularly the nine artists who suffered losses valued at $25,000 in “The Great Coupeville Art Heist,” we thank the Whidbey News-Times for your coverage of this unhappy event. Thanks to your reporting, as well as coverage on several Puget Sound television and radio stations and the regional email network of South Whidbey artist Susan Jensen, the island community is aware of the heist and has responded with encouragement and by making us part of their art-and gift-shopping activities.

Community support was clearly indicated in elevated sales over the Arts and Crafts Festival weekend. We are also hopeful that the wide distribution of images of stolen art will lead to apprehension of the perpetrators.

In the aftermath of the heist, Penn Cove Gallery remains strong, our artists are busily producing new creations and we will be open until 7 p.m. as usual for the quarterly late night shopping event on Saturday, Sept. 3. See you there!

Gary A. Leake, president

Penn Cove Gallery