We Care About...

CERF, the Craft Emergency Relief Fund. In the gallery, September is for CERF. Monies raised help artists who have experienced a health or disaster emergency which has depleted their resources. This year we were delighted to contribute all of the money raised to help artists displaced by Katrina. As part of that effort, we had a drawing for a beautiful blown glass bowl by Eric McLendon of EGlass. The winner pictured here was Penelope Ann Frey of Idyllwild. The winning ticket was drawn by Roger Whitlock, our guest artist and watercolorist from Honolulu. We appreciate all of the support from customers and friends of the gallery.

ARF, Animal Rescue Friends and Living Free. ARF is a local rescue organization that finds home for animals abandoned or in need of a home. Living Free is an animal Sanctuary located in Mountain Center. On Christmas Eve the gallery sponsors a benefit for these two animal organizations. With live music, lots of goodies and wonderful, donated art pieces by gallery and community artists, everyone has a good time and the animals get a little extra help. In 2005, all three dogs who participated in the event were adopted by the end of the day. What a Christmas present for them.

Mentoring new artists. The gallery has four major shows every year. One of these is dedicated to a new, emerging artist. In 2005, Bobby Valdez was featured at a show in the summer. We are pleased that he is continuing to achieve success as a glass artist.

In July 2006, the gallery hosted a show for emerging glass artist Ali Shahvali.