Art Gives — a new initiative that connects artists and collectors with charities — made its debut with the “Hope and Belonging” exhibit, which ran Dec. 6–19 at Gallery 300 in Healdsburg, featuring eight artists and earning hundreds of dollars from sales of artwork.
Art Gives co-founders Donna Waldman and Gallery 300 owner Jennifer Hirshfield, said 20% of the income from the art sales will go to The Living Room, a Santa Rosa nonprofit serving women and children who are in urgent need. The organization offers food, emergency shelter and housing assistance, among other services.
The total of money raised was not available by the time of publication.
“We feel incredibly grateful to be a part of a community of artists supporting self-reliance for underserved women and children here in Sonoma County,” said Krista Sherer, Director of Development & Communications for The Living Room.
Art Gives co-founders Hirshfield and Alejandro Salazar, a third partner of the Art Gives company, curated the show.
The artists featured in the exhibit were Hirshfield, an acrylic painter as well as gallery owner; Rene Martucci, a ceramic artist who studied under Wayne Theibaud; photographer Joshua B. Weil; figurative oil painter Sandra Rubin; Rena Charles, a painter and owner of the Rena Charles Gallery in Healdsburg; painter Anne Gaffrey; Healdsburg ceramist Geri Biehl and photographer Alexis Greenberg.
Waldman and Hirshfield hope that the Art Gives model can expand to other communities, perhaps as far as Los Angeles. Art Gives has not yet announced plans for additional exhibitions.
“We had an idea and we wanted to spread that idea,” Waldman said. “The concept really worked. Donors came to the show. There were guests who came in because they heard about the opening, and if not familiar with The Living Room, they found out about it.”
The percentages may change from one exhibit to another but the idea is income will be shared by nonprofits, artists and galleries.
“The object is for everybody who participates to benefit,” Waldman said. “We are trying to promote a model.”