VIVA LA ART! ART, DRINKS & MUSIC FOR A CAUSE
In recent years, Los Angeles County has experienced an epidemic of youth violence resulting in over 23,000 cases of gang-related crimes. With more than 1,100 active street gangs boasting a combined membership of more than 86,000 individuals, it is more important than ever to reach out and help at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth.
In an effort to provide these young people with the resources and opportunities necessary to succeed, Viva La Art!, in partnership with Philanthro Productions, will be hosting a silent art auction and gallery event at the X bar in Century City on Saturday, March 13. The benefit party will feature the artwork of 20+ artists who have generously donated their work in support of Homeboy Industries, a non-profit organization enabling youths in Los Angeles. Attendees will have a chance to bid to purchase the art with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Homeboy Industries. For more than 20 years, this local organization has been a major source of support for young people looking for a second chance, providing them with job training, placement programs and free services within a safe and nurturing community.
“We have always been committed to giving young people hope where it may not have existed before,†says Fr. Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries. “Fostering young people and their need to express themselves through art and creativity has been a natural extension of our work at Homeboy. This event is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how art can be a wonderful catalyst for positive change.â€
Contributed artwork by Allison Sommers, Andrew Holder, Anthony Clarkson, Anthony Williams, Bob Doucette, Buff Monster, David MacDowell, Espie Munoz, Fatoe, Francesco LoCastro, Glory Tsui, Jay Horinouchi, Joby Cummings, Johnny ‘KMNDZ’ Rodriguez, Jonathan Bartlett, Julian Callos, Justin Diamond, Katherine Chiu, L. Croskey, Michael Page, P-Jay Fidler, Ramon Cho, Sarah Joncas, Sean Chao, Sophia Gasparian, Stacey Aoyama, Tom Haubrick
The evening will also feature music provided by The Love Connection.
X bar is located in the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza at 2025 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA.
Doors open from 8 pm – 12 am (Auction ends at 11 pm); ages 21+. $20 donation at the door.
For more information about the event, please go to www.vivalaart.org
About Viva La Art!
Viva La Art! is a non-profit looking to organize and empower the art and music community to promote education, activism and fundraising for socially responsible charities in Los Angeles. By partnering with local non-profit organizations, Viva! hosts events celebrating the love of art and the humanitarian spirit. One hundred percent of event proceeds support local charities.
About Philanthro Productions
Philanthro Productions is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to get more young adults involved in charity by hosting first-rate events in partnership with leading non-profits. Philanthro’s goal is to eliminate the trade-off for young adults between going out with friends and giving back by creating unique opportunities for charitable giving where there were none before. Less than two years after inception, Philanthro Productions has chapters in Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, which together have raised over $100,000 for partner charities.
About Homeboy Industries
For more than 20 years, Homeboy Industries has helped at-risk and former gang-involved youth become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs – including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement – enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures.
