Artist Erik Abel is partnering with environmental group Heal the Bay as a featured artist for 2013, raising funds for the nonprofit through the sale of custom artist series products, original paintings, and a collector’s series of three prints to be released throughout the year.
Abel has partnered with local manufacturers to design eco-friendly water bottles and new iPhone cases that feature the artwork of the first Heal the Bay print of the year, “Kelpafornia.”
The 24-ounce aluminum water bottles are made out of recycled metal by Liberty Bottles, the only American metal bottle manufacturer. The iPhone case, made in California from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic by Trü Protection, will be available for the iPhone 5, along with his current line of cases released in 2012 to benefit Heal the Bay.
An important element of the campaign for both Heal the Bay and Abel is to partner with companies that offer sustainable products and help reduce waste.
“Trü Protection and Liberty Bottles are perfect examples of what businesses should be striving for,” Abel said. “To offer products that are made using recycled or renewable resources. They offer products people want while being good stewards of the environment. I like the idea turning eco-friendly versions of the products we use everyday into pieces of art all for the benefit of a good cause.”
“Our relationships with Heal the Bay, Trü, and Liberty Bottles have become great partnerships,” Abel said. “We’re all inspired by a shared goal — creating a healthier planet. Finding allies to help pursue your mission is a great feeling and I fell that by working together a bigger impact can be made.”
Abel is the first artist to create large-scale artwork designed to be integrated into the décor of Heal the Bay’s annual gala, to be held May 16 at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica.
“Local artists have long been a key part of Heal the Bay’s community of supporters,” said Nina Borin, Heal the Bay’s development manager. “So we are thrilled that Erik is devoting his energy to raise awareness about our mission in so many creative outlets this year.”
The collector’s series of prints, reproductions of original paintings by Abel created especially for Heal the Bay, will be released throughout the year. The 18×24 inch prints are hand signed by Abel, printed on sustainably sourced bamboo archival paper. A Limited edition of twenty wrapped canvas prints of each painting will be available later this year, hand signed and numbered by Abel.
The first of the collector’s prints of “Kelpafornia” along with the water bottles and iPhone cases are available at www.abelarts.com. The original will be offered for sale this spring.
Original artwork for the Gala will be donated to the event’s Silent Auction.The third print and original painting will be available later this year.
Proceeds from all items will be donated to Heal the Bay to keep our coastline beautiful.
