On June 13, more than 200 people attended the 4th annual ART for CLARE at Bergamot Station in support of the CLARE Foundation, a nonprofit providing alcohol and drug recovery services, provides crucial services to people recovering from often debilitating addictions.
“We’re really proud of how things went this year,” said Linde Caughey, co-chair the event. “We had a fabulous fourth year.”
The festive event featured a silent auction, a group art sale, a chance drawing, beautiful and sensual music by violinist Chris Murphy — who combines jazz, blues, country, classical, ethnic, and electronic music into a distinctly original and powerful voice — and delicious food from celebrated local restaurants.
Bergamot Station’s courtyard was transformed into a combination of a classy, outdoor lounge and a street festival, with stalls providing delicious gourmet food donated by Joe’s Restaurant, El Cholo, Kate Mantilini, Lemonade, Urth Café, Global Cuisine by Gary Arabia, Dandy Don’s Ice Cream, All That is Good Catering by Mary Gilmer, and other popular restaurants.
Event co-chair and actress Meredith Baxter, summed up the festival with, “ART for CLARE was an exciting and wonderful event. It is establishing itself in the community as a place to purchase fine art at excellent prices.”
More than 60 artists donated their artwork, including Ed Ruscha, Billy Al Bengston, Joe Goode, Alex Couwenberg, Kim McCarty, Jeff Bridges (courtesy of the Rose Gallery), and Anthony Hopkins. Locally known artist Bob Poe provided the space to hold the silent auction by generously opening the doors to his gallery. Several of the participating artists attended the event, including Jay Kelly, Jeremy Kidd, Yvette Gellis, Max Miceli, and Tommy Hollenstein.
Caughey said that although the recession had some impact on attendance and art sales (as it did last year), she looks at the returning venders and artists – as well as those who are new this year -– as evidence of the event’s success.
“Everybody has come back,” she said, “so we must be doing something right.”
ART for CLARE’s chance drawing featured the Excite Cardio Wave, the latest revolutionary exercise machine. Over 15 people won other fabulous prizes including VIP tickets to the popular television show The Big Bang Theory, tickets from Southwest Airlines, jewelry from King Baby Studio, and gift certificates to local, popular restaurants.
All proceeds from the ART for CLARE event will benefit the CLARE Foundation, which provides compassionate treatment and recovery services for alcoholism and substance abuse to individuals, family, and the community. Our 11 programs located throughout the Westside provide a continuum of care to homeless and low-income men, women, and children. CLARE Foundation has been serving the community since 1965.
