Local artist and sculptor Jim Bess will auction one of his original paintings with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Organic Soup Kitchen.
The painting will be on display at an art retrospective, Jim Bess: The First 90 Years at Voice Gallery, in La Cumbre Plaza. The auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Opening Reception on First Thursday, Dec. 7.
“Jim is an extraordinary artist, and we are honored to be the recipient of such a generous gift,” says Andrea Slaby, COO at Organic Soup Kitchen. “As a cancer survivor and long-time Organic Soup Kitchen client, Jim knows first-hand the impact proper nutrition has on healing. We are incredibly grateful for his support of our mission.”
Bess first picked up a paintbrush as a child in the 1930s. It was love at first canvas stroke, and set the stage for a lifelong passion for teaching, painting and sculpting.
“I am aware of the intimate relationship between artist and materials, much like the dialogue between two people … occasionally, almost total destruction gives birth to a new direction,” he said.
Bess’ work has best been described as “intuitive, engaging and deliberately provocative.”
The retrospective and sale will run Dec. 3-30 at the Voice Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza, 1110 S. Hope Ave. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Opening Reception on Dec. 7 is the artist’s 90th birthday. The event will be 5-8 p.m., with 10% of all sales that evening going to Organic Soup Kitchen.
Organic Soup Kitchen is committed to organic food for all. Through education, advocacy and programs, the agency provides nutrition and food security to cancer patients, chronically ill and low-income individuals in Santa Barbara County. The organization has served more than 3 million bowls of nutrient dense SoupMeals since 2009.
To support the health of the Santa Barbara County community, visit www.organicsoupkitchen.org.