Reaching To Embrace Arts (RTEA) Charity Art Exhibition and Silent Auction to Be Held at The Inshallah Gallery in Los Angeles on July 12th Proceeds to Benefit Elementary School Art Programs in Los Angeles Unified School District

Reaching To Embrace Arts (RTEA) will host a benefit art exhibit and silent auction on July 12 at 7:00pm at the Inshallah Gallery in downtown Los Angeles. Over twenty leading L.A. artists -- including Richard Duardo, John Van Hamersveld, and Mear One -- have donated their art and time in conjunction with RTEA to raise money for disadvantaged elementary school art programs throughout the city.

RTEA was established this year by Elizabeth Tran and a board of four arts supporters who were troubled by the need they saw in the under-funded art programs of L.A.s public elementary schools.

RTEAs mission -- to enrich and inspire art endeavors for inner-city youth" -- was put into practice at the Castelar Elementary School earlier this year. They donated art supplies to students to take home for the summer. With items ranging from pastels and canvas to glitter and sidewalk chalk, students were encouraged to create works on the theme of what you see in nature." Three pieces produced by Castelar students will be included in the July 12 auction. The funds raised will be used to expand RTEAs program to other schools. There is a growing disparity in the level of resources our schools are afforded for their art programs. When education budgets are cut, its the art programs that get cut first," says Elizabeth Tran. And its the art programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods that are the first to go." In neighborhoods where the arts can provide an escape from the harsh realities children face at home, Tran feels that schools can and should encourage interaction between teachers and students outside of the traditional academic channels."

The artists supporting the RTEA charity auction represent a diverse range of styles and experience.

Richard Duardo has been both an artist and an advocate of the arts in Los Angeles for over 25 years. Since graduating from UCLA in graphic design, he has been prolific in producing a large body of serigraphs. He has had museum shows in Tokyo and Gifu, Japan, New York and Los Angeles. His work was selected for a National Endowment for the Arts traveling exhibition where he was represented both as a printer and an artist. In 1988, Duardo received The California Arts Commission for The Artist of the Year Award. Most recently, Richard gained worldwide recognition for his prints used in the Academy Award nominated film Frida" which chronicled the life of Frida Kahlo. Richards work is represented in many notable collections including The Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

John Van Hammersveld, born in 1941 in Baltimore, studied and taught at Art Center College of Design and California Institute of the Arts. With a background that includes rock concert promoting and work at SURFER Magazine and Capitol Records, John's experience encompasses album cover, poster, magazine and book design. One of these achievements was the 360° mural at the Los Angeles Coliseum, executed for the 1984 Olympics, which won him national recognition by the American Institute of Architects. He is also well known for his poster design for the movie, "The Endless Summer", which is one of the most popular and recognizable poster images of all time. He has designed over 300 album covers for groups like the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and many others.

Graffiti artist Mear Ones work has transcended mere graffiti and has evolved into a vital political statement. Mear says, I have no interest in painting a pretty picture for some bourgeoisie. If there is no dialogue, then the painting has lost it's purpose and only serves those who can afford to mix art and leisure. Instead, I create art that serves the people." Mear has painted murals for many humanitarian campaigns for various political and social causes and organizations on an international scope.

A number of relative newcomers that will be also be a part of the silent auction includes, Chuck Stolarek, Yem Amseven, Buff Monster, Paige Weary, and Blaine Fontana. These are some of the citys best emerging artists.

The common thread that links all of these artists together is that they call Los Angeles home. And they all realize the importance of ensuring that children in Los Angeles are exposed to the arts, no matter the circumstances. This will help guarantee a vital arts scene in Los Angeles for generations to come.

Where: Inshallah Gallery; 244 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

When: Saturday July 12th 2003,

7pm opening reception

Pre-sale tickets available at 213.596.5753
First look at silent auction items.
Exhibit will be on display until July 21st

9:30pm after party
$10 Donation at door
(All proceeds go toward charity.)

For more information please visit RTEA at www.rtea.org

Silent Auction Artworks are provided by the artists below as follows:

Mear One, Yem Amseven, Chuck Stolarek, Thomas Fields, Paige Weary, Michele Yu, Alex Safonov, Lance Bradley, Alejandro Martinez, Wil Lin, Andrew Chizov, Albert Hwang, Victor Gastelum, Richard Duardo, Ron Outlaw, Blaine Fontana, Buff Monster, Mick Haggerty, Erik Burnetti, Dylan Gordon, Ignacio Gomez, Mark Vallen, John Van Hammersveld

Mediums:
Photography, paints, prints, drawings, graffiti, video, mixed media

Why: Raising funds for art supplies for kindergarten through sixth grade children in LAUSD for virtually obsolete art programs.