The sixth annual Art for CLARE fundraiser returns to Bergamot Station this Sunday, June 10 with the chance to bid on art from more than 60 artists, sample food from 12 local restaurants, and take part in a silent auction with items ranging from spa packages to luxury vacations.
The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lanisha Cole Gallery at Bergamot Station, which is located at 2525 Michigan Avenue in Santa Monica.
The event is being co-chaired by Linde Caughey and actress/best-selling author Meredith Baxter.
CLARE Foundation Executive Director Nicholas Vrataric said he was most excited for the artists taking part at this year’s event.
“It’s slowly growing into an event where really good artists want to be part of it,” Vrataric said. “I think our challenge is to grow in the area where people who are serious about buying art want to be part of it. Right now we’ve got the artists really interested and they know it’s a serious event and they like being a part of it.”
Vrataric said the art was mostly painting, but there were also a few sculptures and photography pieces up for grabs as part of the event.
The silent auction will feature sports memorabilia, spa packages, VIP tickets to the LA Dodgers, stays at Santa Monica luxury hotels, and stays at condos in Hawaii, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs.
Among the dozen restaurants offering attendees free samples of their gourmet fare are the likes of Melisse, Kate Mantilini, Fonuts, and Global Cuisine.
Vrataric said entry to the event was $25 per person with all the funds going to support the CLARE Foundation.
“Our mission is to provide compassion, treatment, and recovery services for alcoholism and substance abuse to individuals, families, and the community,” he said. “We run 10 programs, residential programs, sober living for women with children, and we have outpatient programs that include drug court, DUI, and outpatient counseling.”
For anyone who has never attended the event, Vrataric said the afternoon was great value for money while supporting a great local organization.
“First bring your family and come for the food and second take advantage of the art,” he said. “You are going to find some artists who are one of these days going to be a really well known and you’re going to be able to get in at a price that is unbelievable.”
The doors will open at 1 p.m. for the start of the event with food sampling and the silent auction. The art auction will close at 3 p.m. and the outdoor silent auction will close at 3:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.clarefoundation.org.
