47th Annual Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction: Thank you for a week to remember!
The power of art, health and community were on display.
The 47th annual Venice Family Clinic Art Exhibition + Auction was one for the books! We were so proud to exhibit an exceptional collection of artworks and join artists and collectors together around the shared cause of high quality health care for all.
We’re also thrilled to share that we exceeded our fundraising goal! The generosity of our artist and patron communities now transforms into essential services like well child exams, street medicine, prescriptions, free fresh produce and more for Venice Family Clinic patients.
“As artists, we know that having health care is not always easy,” said artist Judy Nimtz, who has donated works to the auction for over a decade. “That the exhibition and auction is still going strong and I’m still a part of it, and knowing about the success of the clinic, how it’s grown— we’re all really happy for the sake of our community and society.”
This year, over 200 artists donated work, and hundreds of our community members bid on works or visited our gallery. Our monumental Signature Artist, Alison Saar, led by example as an artist who is truly invested in giving voice and giving back to under-represented communities. Honored Gallery Patron Cirrus Gallery & Cirrus Editions went above and beyond providing a spectacular collection of exciting pieces from emerging artists and notable works from historically significant giants of the art world like Ed Ruscha and Peter Alexander.
The generous team at 910 Abbot Kinney, who hosted us for the third year in a row, could not have been better partners in helping us bring the exhibition to life. Our panelists, performers, DJs, and workshop hosts filled the gallery with creativity and verve. Attendees expanded their own artistic horizons and became part of the bigger cause of health care for all.
“It makes me feel good that the art world is contributing to something bigger outside of itself,” said Arcell Salunga, an artist who attended the Opening Reception as a guest of another artist in the show.
Salunga did not know that the gallery show he was going to that evening was in support of the Clinic. He was blown away to learn about our 47-year-long tradition. At times, the wealth stratification of the art world has been a turn-off to him as an emerging artist. Seeing an exhibition that showcases established artists alongside emerging voices, all united in support of community health care, felt truly special to Salunga.
“When I first walked in and saw the Jonas Wood — okay, yeah, that was awesome,” Salunga said. “But then I saw up-and-coming artists, and that’s what really made my heart feel warmer. They’re being supported and they’re supporting others.”