The supreme coupling of more than 50 prominent local artists auctioning more than 60 pieces, along with free gourmet samples of Los Angeles favorite restaurants including Lemonade and Joanie and Leigh’s Cake Divas is enough to convince most art enthusiasts to make it to Bergamot Station in Santa Monica on June 12. But the fifth annual ART for CLARE fundraiser’s efforts of saving lives through recovery make this an event practically unacceptable to miss.
Actress and best-selling author Meredith Baxter is co-chairing the silent auction event, along with Linde Caughey. The types of art are varied, including conceptual painting, landscape surrealism, abstract, and traditional works. Proceeds from the silent art auction, featuring artists Ed Ruscha, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Al Bengston, go to support the CLARE Foundation.
CLARE is a nonprofit organization that was founded in the late ‘60s when members of the community noticed a need for recovery services for homeless people and alcoholics who were gathering on Santa Monica and Venice beaches. The group began distributing literature and food, and in 1970, they rented a space on Pico Boulevard and began providing individuals with education and a place to detox.
CLARE now has 11 programs in the L.A. area, providing residential and outpatient services to more than 3,000 people every year, and more than 30,000 seek help or information on recovery services. Eighty-six percent of the money raised at ART for CLARE goes directly to treatment programs.
Doors open, and the silent auctions begin at 1 p.m. and last until 3:30 p.m. Admission is $25, and tickets can be purchased at clarefoundation.org. Bergamot Station is located at 2525 Michigan Avenue in Santa Monica.
