Art From The Heart
On April 1, Free Arts for Abused Children hosted its annual Art from the Heart Auction at Saks Fifth Avenue at Biltmore Fashion Park. Co-chaired by Lisa Portigal and John Reyes, the auction featured locally and internationally known artists, such as Ed Mell, Jim Waid, David Kessler, John Nelson, Matt Magee, Turner Davis and other notable talents. Honorary co-chairs Patsy Lowry and Billie Jo Herberger and featured Arizona artist Barbara Rogers were among the more than 300 guests who mixed and mingled while enjoying cocktails, appetizers and entertainment.
“Artists, collectors and art patrons are a caring and generous group of people who understand how art can be a powerful tool for self-expression,” says Alicia Sutton Campbell, Free Arts executive director.
Artwork and artist statements from children participating in Free Arts’ Professional Artist Series “Building Hope” were also on display for guests to enjoy and to help them become more familiar with the Free Arts mission.
The evening raised more than $115,000 to support Free Arts programs that annually serve more than 8,000 children living in homeless shelters and foster care group homes. Due to the generous support of Edward Jones, DriveTime, Patti Parsons, Burch & Cracchiolo, National Bank of Arizona, Prisma, Versant Capital Management, Amy Cohn, Lisa and Blair Portigal, Artemis Realty Capital, Hyde Park Fine Rugs and Southwest Gas Corporation, the event was fully underwritten.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF FREE ARTS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN OF ARIZONA