It was all about family, the Dent Family, at the annual Baum School of Art “Fall Gala.”

“As I look out at the sculpture, I think of Sir Isaac Newton’s words: ‘We build upon the shoulders of those who came before us,’” Peter C. Dent said of the 12-foot bronze horse unveiled 13 years ago, Oct. 4, 2002, in the Charles C. Dent Memorial Garden at The Baum School, Fifth and Linden streets, Allentown.

It was the vision of Peter Dent’s uncle, Charles C. Dent, to create a horse to honor Leonardo da Vinci, whose 15th century bronze equestrian sculpture was never cast.

Charles C. Dent, a retired United Airlines pilot, constructed a 50 by 50 foot dome on his Fogelsville area farm. Charles C. Dent died of ALS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 1994.

“A group of us promised we would finish the horse,” Peter C Dent said.

Peter C. Dent served as a Leonard da Vinci’s Horse, Inc. trustee 1994 - 2003 and its president 1999 - 2003 until the merger that formed the Da Vinci Science Center.

Sculptor Nina Akamu and Tallix Art Foundry made Charles C. Dent’s vision a reality when a 24-foot horse was dedicated Sept. 10, 1999, in Milan, Italy.

The second “American Horse” casting was dedicated Oct. 7, 1999, in Grand Rapids, Mich.

An eight-foot casting of the horse was dedicated in November 2001 in Leonardo’s birthplace, Vinci, Italy.

“Years later, we got our Art Park and the renaissance of downtown Allentown,” Peter C. Dent said to the estimated 120 in attendance for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and sit-down dinner of salmon and fillet mignon by Catering by Karen Hunter. The gala raised about $45,000.

In choosing to honor the Dents at the Oct. 17 gala, a Baum School press release stated, “The Dent Family has shown exemplary commitment to the arts in our community, particularly to The Baum School of Art, for three generations. Dent Family members have graciously provided leadership and guidance on our board of trustees.

“Over the years, they have participated as students of fine art; the elder generations having studied with Walter Baum, to the following generations enjoying our art classes for children, teens and adults. The family has been instrumental in promoting “An Artistic Discovery: The 15th Congressional District High School Art Competition,” the longest-running competition of its kind in the United States.

“The Baum School of Art is honored to be the home of Leonardo Da Vinci’s horse, a truly magnificent monument to creativity, imagination and persistence. Numerous members of the Dent Family have been an important part of the school’s history, and continue to play an important role in our success.”

Congressman Charles W. Dent (R-15th), wearing the United Airlines identification pin of his uncle and namesake, Charles C. Dent, detailed the history of the Dent family and the Dent Hardware Company, Fullerton, Whitehall Township, the leading producer of brass refrigerator hardware in the United States and one of the two largest producers of cast-iron toys in Pennsylvania.

Charles C. Dent was a contemporary of Wilfred M. “Wiley” Post Jr. and John Henry Leh, two of the founders of what became Lehigh Valley International Airport. “He’d give them art classes and they’d give him flying lessons,” Charles W. Dent said of Charles C. Dent.

Shannon Fugate, Baum School Of Art Executive Director, noted that The Baum School will celebrate its 90th year in 2016. Of honoring the Dent Family, Fugate said, “It’s about the community relationships that have been forged.

“Da Vinci knew about STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math] long before it was a buzz word.

“Charles C. Dent had the vision and dream for the Da Vinci horse and that has stimulated the community.”

A time line, sketches and drawings by Charles C. Dent of the Da Vinci horse project were displayed. One noted: “Leonardo was more than a Ninja Turtle. He was a genius,” in reference to the children’s animated TV show and movie, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” in which one of the characters is named Leonardo.

Artwork by Charles C. Dent, photographs by W.R. Pete Dent and artwork by Majorie Dent, while she studied with Walter Emerson Baum at The Baum School, which he founded, was displayed.

Also honored at the gala was artist Gary T. Erbe, whose exhibition, “Mystery & Magic: The Trompe L’Oeil Vision Of Gary T. Erbe,” sponsored by the Zelenkofske Family, concluded its run in the David E. Rodale and Rodale Family Galleries.

Gala sponsors included:

Gold Sponsors: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., City Center Lehigh Valley and J.B, and Kathleen Reilly, Bob and Sandy Lovett, and Lutron.

Silver Sponsors: The Dent Family, National Penn, and PPL.

Bronze Sponsors: Alvin H. Butz, Ravi Bains, Hank and Joanne Barnette, Beirne Wealth Consulting, Carol C. Dorey Real Estate, Cedar Crest College, Fredda Fischman, Barnet and Lisa Fraenkel, J. Lawrence Grim, Jr. and Kathleen O’Dea, Klunk & Millan, Gary and Mary Ann Millenbruch, Rick Powell, Samuel and Missy Saxton, Nancy and John Schneider, StoudtPoole, PLLC – Accountants and Consultants, Karen and Alex Tamerler, and The Zelenkofske Family.

The Baum School serves more than 2,600 students with almost 350 classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry-making and metal-smithing, fashion design and construction, photography, graphic design, illustration, film making and others. The School holds workshops, gallery exhibits, public and private meetings, receptions and events. In total, approximately 10,000 are served.

To submit press releases for consideration in the Good Cause column and request coverage of fund-raisers and galas, email Paul Willistein, Focus features editor: pwillistein@tnonline.com