By Angela Romeo
As art continues on it quest to give back, Fusion Art, a Palm Springs contemporary fine art gallery, will host an Art for Animals Juried Art Exhibition Fundraiser for Charity to support local Coachella Valley animal welfare organizations.
Fusion Art is the vision of Chris and Valerie Hoffman. “We started the gallery out of a passion for art and the artists who create it. It was our goal to promote and connect emerging and established artists with collectors and art enthusiasts,” said Chris. “We offer an opportunity for all to participate in the art experiences. This exhibition is an example of art and participation.”
Valerie Hoffman explained, “A juried art competition was held July 21st through September 20th. For the competition artists and photographers, worldwide, were encouraged to share their artistic vision of animals, both domestic and wild. Twenty-four winners were selected and will be featured in the exhibition, which will run from December 7th through the 31st. An additional twenty-two finalists were also chosen to participate in the exhibition. An artist and fundraising reception will be held December 10th between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. A daytime event between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. will feature the SNIP bus for visitors to tour and learn about the mobile clinic that provides low cost spay and neuter services to Coachella Valley residents; holiday pet photos by local Palm Springs’ photographer Daniel James Ryan; ambassador animals from the local shelters; and pet portrait artist, Pamela LeGrand, will be on hand taking commissions, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the charities.”
“Our plan included creating a calendar to raise funds for local animal charities. We partnered with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, SNIP, The Living Desert, Animal Samaritans, and the Humane Society of the Desert. All five organizations are 501(3)(c) nonprofits that are committed to the humane treatment of all animals and the preservation of life through no-kill philosophies. The twenty-four winners will each have their image representing one month of one of two calendars,” continued Valerie.
“But it was not just the artists that stepped up to help make this event special. We were fortunate to have these businesses, such as Cougar Vineyard & Winery, help. Others sponsored the costs for production of the calendars. Jack Farley’s Art Supplies, Howard’s Custom Frame, Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery, Artize Gallery, Trenz Gallery, The Bling Collection from the House of Simone, Maxson Art Studio & Gallery, The Village Corker, The Jewelry Bar on El Paseo, and Mercedes Benz of Palm Springs, each sponsored a month. As a result all proceeds from sale of the calendars will be divided among the charities. But that is not as far as the generosity goes! Net proceeds from the competition’s entry fees, the gallery’s proceeds from the sale of any artwork in the exhibition and many of the artists have also donated proceeds from the sale of their artwork, all will be donated equally to the charities,” stated Chris.
Fusion Art is located at 2658 S. Cherokee Way, in Palm Springs’ Backstreet Art District. For more information visit www.FusionArtPS.com.
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By Ann Nall
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