October 4, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Venice Art Walk Biggest Yet: Creative Auction Raised Funds for Local Clinic

The Venice Art Walk events, “The Original Venice Experience,” took place Friday May 20 through Sunday May 22 to raise funds for the Venice Family Clinic. The clinic is an organization devoted to providing free health care to low-income patients without insurance who primarily live on the Westside of L.A. County. A small storefront operation at its founding in 1970, the Venice Family Clinic is now the largest free clinic in the entire country, with 10 sites and 225 staff members.

But the organization stays afloat with the help of volunteers, 2,096 in total, that provide services for over 24,000 people at an estimated value of $2 million each year. The clinic was founded by doctors Philip Rossman and Mayer B. Davidson, and now includes 514 physicians, 119 board members and 14 individuals serving as patient advisory council members.

The clinic’s first art walk was held in 1979, when there were no other art walks in L.A. Venice was one of the city’s most poor areas at the time, but the art community was thriving. Clinic volunteers came up with the simple idea to sell tickets for a tour of private artist studios with all funds benefiting the clinic. Many of the artists themselves were actually patients at the clinic, which made garnering studio participation a breeze. By 1986, the walk was actually providing one-third of the clinic’s operating budget.

As of press time the clinic estimated a gross revenue of more than half a million dollars, totaling around $581,000. Tim Smith, Director of Communications for the clinic, said that this year was better than any of the 10 years he has seen it in terms of content. Smith has watched the events grow, and several new additions were made this year, including a skate and surf auction and a community fair.

Fifteen new artists agreed to open their studios, including sculptors Alex Andre and Stephen Glassman, painters Judy Nimtz and Michael Webber, and glass blower John Mooney. Art Within Reach at the free community fair showcased 14 up-and-coming artists’ digital ink jet prints, and more than 50 artists contributed pieces to the skate and surf auction, featuring reused and recreated skate and surf boards.

The community fair on the green at Westminster School served as a meeting point for walkers to mingle and catch up between tours. Ethnic music kept crowds engaged and food vendors kept them full. Conveniently, it was between the two studio tour paths, and provided easy access to the silent auction items that filled the Westminster School hallways. All proceeds from the auctions and tours will go directly to the Venice Family Clinic.

For more information on the clinic, or to find out how to donate, visit venicefamilyclinic.org or e-mail vfcinfo@mednet.ucla.edu

Related Posts

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

July 19, 2023

July 19, 2023

FILM REVIEWMISSION IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONERated PG-13163 MinutesReleased July 11th The story in this “Mission: Impossible” chapter, “Dead...

Film Review: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

July 5, 2023

July 5, 2023

FILM REVIEWINDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINYRated PG-13154 MinutesReleased June 30th The director of Indiana Jones and the Dial...

Film Review: Past Lives

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

FILM REVIEWPAST LIVESRated PG-13105 MinutesLimited Releases June 2nd and June 9th, Full Release June 23rd The Korean concept of “In...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

A Riveting Revival of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning “A Soldier’s Play” Now Playing At The Ahmanson Theatre

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

On Stage With… Murder mysteries, whether cinematic or theatrical, are one of the most popular subjects. The list is quite...

Film Review: Chevalier

May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

By Kathryn Boole  RATED PG-13107 MinutesReleased April 21, 2023 Chevalier is based on the true story of a historical figure...

Ballet at the Broad Stage Memorial Weekend – Meet the Talent!

May 10, 2023

May 10, 2023

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica returns to the Broad Stage with special guest artists kicking off Friday May 26th with...

Elizabeth McGovern Lights Up The Stage in “Ava – The Secret Conversations”

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

Play About Legendary Screen Star Runs Until May 14 At The Geffen Playhouse By Beverly Cohn Ava Gardner, born Ava...

Unconventional Art Festival “The Other Art Fair” Returns to Santa Monica This Weekend

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2023

140 independent artists, immersive installations, performances, DJs, and a fully stocked bar await visitors at Barker Hangar The Other Art...

Samohi Theatre’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” Takes the Stage in Santa Monica

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Shows will take place at Barnum Hall on March 3 and 4 at 7 p.m. and March 5 at 3...

Film Review: “Marlow”

February 23, 2023

February 23, 2023

FILM REVIEW“MARLOWE”Rated R109 MinutesReleased February 15th “Marlowe” is a beautifully shot period piece that takes place in the late 1930’s....

Film Review: All Quite on the Western Front

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

I have never been a soldier at war, although I have close friends and relatives who have been. Universally they...

SMC Emeritus Concert Band to Hold Free Concert This Weekend at the Broad Stage

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Concert February 26 will feature musical selections with an outdoor theme Santa Monica College’s Emeritus Concert Band, under the baton...