Art Center Sarasota and Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota
Present
The First Annual Sarasota Art Auction
April 24, 6:30-10 p.m. Ÿ Art Center Sarasota
This inaugural event unites two area non-profits with the goal to raise money for at-need children with speech, hearing and language disorders.
(Sarasota, FL) Art Center Sarasota and the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota present a collaborative event to support community arts and human services with the inaugural Sarasota Art Auction, Friday, April 24, 6:30-10 p.m., at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Proceeds from the event benefit Art Center Sarasota and the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota. Tickets, which include one free drink coupon, are $75 and can be purchased at www.SarasotaArtAuction.com or by calling Art Center Sarasota at 941-365-2032.
According to Lisa Berger, Art Center Sarasota’s executive director, this first-time event is a community-building collaboration created by a core of people who are deeply involved with the arts and a group of local professionals who want to make a difference in children’s lives.
“Our local Sertoma Club is renowned for providing opportunities for at-need children with speech, hearing and language disorders to work with world-class pathologists. The organization provides hearing and speech screening, developmental and rehabilitative services, products, education, grants and scholarships,” says Eric Massey, president of Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota.
Berger says that the collaboration was sparked by the suggestion of former Art Center Sarasota board member, Tim Self of Insignia Bank. “Sertoma had the idea to stage an art auction to raise funds and thought Art Center Sarasota would be the perfect organization to partner with because of its access to artists in the community,” says Berger. “We saw the potential for both organizations immediately. Our audience will learn more about the wonderful work that Sertoma does and theirs will discover the art center and all of its offerings.” She adds that Art Center Sarasota proceeds will support youth programs at the center, including Slice of Art outreach, summer camp and youth classes.
Berger explains that the evening begins with a silent auction featuring a variety of items such as jewelry, services, dining and gifts. “Guests can leisurely enjoy libations and hors d’oeuvres while they mingle, bid on the silent auction and have a chance to study the works to be featured during the live auction,” she says. The live auction, from 8 to 9 p.m., will be headed by the professional auctioneer, Bryan Roberts of Garth’s Auctioneers, and will feature approximately 25 original works by Art Center Sarasota-associated artists. “We’ll have a diverse collection of works by regional and national artists,” says Berger, adding that the works include oil paintings, watercolors, pastels, mixed-media, drawings and photographs.
Sertoma, an acronym for “SERvice TO MAnkind,” is an international organization that’s been in existence for almost 100 years. The Sarasota club began in 1956. For more information about the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota, call Eric Massey at 941-809-6351 or visit www.SertomaSarasota.com.
About Art Center Sarasota
Art Center Sarasota was the first arts and cultural institution in Sarasota. It was founded in 1926 as the “Sarasota Art Association” by Marcia Rader, the art supervisor for the Sarasota County schools district. In the early years, the group met monthly and sponsored exhibits in rented facilities. The Association was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 1943 and has been in its current location in the Sarasota Bayfront Cultural District since 1949. Art Center Sarasota is now a membership-based organization that offers curated and juried exhibitions, adult and youth education programs, outreach initiatives for underserved youth, and culturally related public programming. Art Center Sarasota’s mission is to provide Sarasota with opportunities for creative expression and art appreciation through art education, exhibitions and cultural programs. www.artsarasota.org.
About Sertoma
Sertoma is an acronym for “SERvice TO MAnkind” and is an international organization that’s been in existence for over 100 years. The Sarasota Club has been in existence since 1956.
Sertoma’s primary service project is assisting the more-than 50 million people with speech, hearing and language disorders. Sertoma also sponsors community projects to promote freedom and democracy, to assist youth and to benefit a variety of other local community needs, as identified by individual clubs. www.SertomaSarasota.com.
