Art of Rock Legends
When cause marketing master Bruce Burtch learned DrawBridge was providing art programs to homeless children in seven Bay Area counties, offering more than 4,000 children visits annually, but with only one part-time executive director and no other paid staff, he knew it was time to help. His answer: San Rafael Rocks, a multi-faceted, multi-partner, rock ‘n’ roll, art, film and music celebration taking place June 12 to July 24, 2015.
One of the ways you can participate is by visiting the Art of Rock Legends benefit exhibition at Art Works Downtown. Here’s a sneak peak at a few of the items (all items in the exhibit were donated by the artists or their estates).
First is a 64-color, original serigraph titled “Janis, Wood Nymph” was produced by Grace Slick, founding member of Jefferson Airplane, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015. Slick participated in several incarnations of the band including The Jefferson Starship, Starship and several solo albums with Paul Kantner. She retired from rock ‘n’ roll in 1989 and began a new career in the visual arts in the mid-’90s. Her first show was in Ft. Lauderdale Fla., in 2000. Since then, she’s had more than 100 exhibits and is represented by some of the best galleries in the United States and Europe.
Next is “California Mission,” a Giclee lithograph taken from an original watercolor by Jerry Garcia, one of the most legendary musicians and founding member of the Grateful Dead. Beyond music, Garcia was a prolific artist. Early in his life, he was torn between pursuing art or music as his career focus. This year is the 20th anniversary of Garcia’s passing. San Rafael was the home of both Jerry and the Grateful Dead. This work was donated by The Jerry Garcia Foundation.
Third is a complete issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Baron Wolman was the first chief of photography for Rolling Stone and is a legend in the rock world as one of the very finest rock photographers. He donated this signed 1970 issue, which features Little Richard. The magazine is boxed so the buyer can remove and view it entirely.
There’s a vast amount of other items available, as well as events including a day of festivities surrounding a simulcast viewing of the last Grateful Dead performance in Chicago on July 5 (with live music, special guests and more); a rock ‘n’ roll film festival July 6 to 8; a block party in downtown San Rafael on July 11 featuring music, art and more; and a music benefit at the Fenix on July 17 celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders, Sr.
Says Burtch, who’s donating his time as curator and producer of the event, “I’m doing this for one reason: to serve the highly at-risk kids of our Bay Area community.”
www.sanrafaelrocks.com
Art Is Healing
Founded in 1989 by Gloria Simoneaux, DrawBridge provides art programs to homeless and underserved children. The goal is to foster their sense of joy, creativity and exuberance. Through art, they can release the buildup of potentially destructive emotions that accompany homelessness and poverty, and instead rebuild their sense of self-worth.
In February 2014, Julie Scribner took over as executive director after meeting with the board and becoming inspired by its members’ dedication. She combines her 15 years of nonprofit experience and 14 years in marketing to bring new life to the organization. She does this all as a part-time employee with the help of several contractors (whose combined efforts add up to about 30 hours per month) and the organization’s volunteer force, which keeps 24 groups of kids doing artwork on a weekly basis (about 900 children are served, adding up to about 4,000 art program visits each year).
“The volunteer force is phenomenal,” says Scribner. “We bring the program to where the kids are living: shelters, transitional housing, safe houses and the like.” Counties served include Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz.
“Right now, our strategic plan is to help as many children in the counties served as possible. This means additional locations, volunteers and funding needed,” she says.
“Bruce Burtch has always been supportive of DrawBridge; this was all his idea,” she says. “I’m so excited that so many famous people donated their art for the exhibit, which also includes a gallery space downstairs that will showcase the artwork of children involved in DrawBridge.
“We’re so grateful to Bruce and everyone involved,” she continues. “I’m so happy everyone has pulled together for this cause.”
