It seems always to be the season when artists are asked to give their work in support of good causes. Every month there’s a fundraiser for children, for schools, for victims of disaster, and there, front and center, is the auction item that represents the time, materials, education and creative juices of a local artist. Two such events take place this weekend. The “STARS” auction benefits the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, which depends on artists to donate significant works—and every year artists do—to support MAH art programs. Local artists donate also to Monterey Museum of Art’s annual “Miniatures,” which raffles over 300 works. So it’s no surprise that the only fundraiser designed for local artists by local artists is also a gift—as much to the public as to the profession.
“Art for Art,” showing this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, is a curated exhibition and sale of fine art and craft made in the region, presented salon-style at the new Robert Blitzer Gallery in the old Wrigley Building. The participating artists benefit from the sale of their work, but the event is also a fundraiser for the new Santa Cruz Artists’ Assistance & Relief Fund (SCAARF). Founded earlier this year by artists Sara Friedlander and Dee Hooper, SCAARF is a fund for artists in an emergency such as sudden illness, accident, fire, theft or natural disaster. “A great percentage of artists are without insurance,” says Friedlander.
“Art for Art” was created in 2008 by Friedlander and Hooper, who wanted to help the Tannery Art Center close a million-dollar fundraising gap. “We had no idea what it would take to put on a show of this size, but the public response was overwhelming: People really do want to have art visible in town,” says Friedlander. “It was at the time when (MAH curator) Susan (Hillhouse) had just arrived at the museum and begun to exhibit local artists there—a very encouraging time.” The duo selected the artists, including many who exhibit nationally, not locally. The show was at the (now closed) Mill Gallery. The artists selected and installed their work and found the experience exhilarating. “We got to be with each other for a couple of days,” Friedlander continues. “The rest of the time, we’re alone in our studios.”
The 2008 event sold $27,000 worth of art and donated $6,000 to the Tannery. The organizers worked gratis, the Mill space was donated; enthusiasm was high. The next year the organizers waited out the national fit of financial moodiness and presented the second event in spring 2010 at the Old Sash Mill, raising $3,500 to create the fund. The first SCAARF grant was soon needed by Marc Gould, an artist severely injured in a fire. This weekend’s event again donates 20 percent of the event profits and 100 percent of direct donations to the fund.
“Art for Art” represents 35 artists in media including painting, photography, jewelry, glass, ceramics, sculpture, neon and installation. The Robert Blitzer Gallery (at the railroad backside of the Wrigley Building) in the Westside industrial area has been remodeled for the event. Music and food will be part of the $5 opening reception on Friday.
ART FOR ART
Robert Blitzer Gallery, Mission St Extension and Natural Bridges Drive (the old Wrigley building), Santa Cruz
Friday, Dec. 10, 6-9pm
Sat-Sun, Dec. 11-12, 11am-5pm
$5 Fri; free Sat-Sun
