On May 12, the San Diego County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation will host its 17th annual Art Gala & Auction at Paradise Point Resort on Mission Bay to benefit the Foundation’s critical programs and policy work. The Art Gala & Auction will feature silent and live auctions, an exclusive fashion show by Fashion Week San Diego, a delectable menu designed by executive chef JoJo Ruiz of Lionfish, and music by DJ Hevrock. The online auction started May 2, and concludes at the gala. “Our annual Art Gala & Auction provides an excellent platform to celebrate the local art community, raise funds for our programs, and educate our friends, families and neighbors on the significant environmental issues that are affecting our communities,” said Jake Sneeden, executive committee chair of Surfrider San Diego. “This year, our goal is to raise more than $100,000 to support our mission to protect the ocean, waves and beaches for all to enjoy.” Erika Torri, the executive director of the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, will jury and curate the fine-art portion of the auction with more than 20 pieces up for bid. Honorary chair is Aaron Chang, an award-winning and internationally acclaimed photographer.
“It is an honor to be selected by Surfrider to chair this year’s Art Gala,” said Chang. “I am most happy whenever I can use my talents to give back to the community and to do so while helping our ocean with the Surfrider initiatives is the best. We will be working hard to bring a fantastic offering of world-class local art to the Gala. This will be an event not to miss.”
Fashion Week San Diego’s top eco-conscious designers will unveil an exclusive collection made from recycled materials.
“Fashion Week San Diego and its designers are honored to create original works of fashion art and not-so-typical textiles to showcase the wonderful programs Surfrider is known for,” said Allison Andrews founder and producer of Fashion Week San Diego. “It’s perfect collaboration to physically show the work Surfrider is doing in our community. Many of the items used were collected from beach clean ups. “The craftsmanship of these talented designers to create couture pieces from these everyday trash items will have you looking twice, and never looking at trash the same again,” she said. Ruiz of Lionfish and the culinary team at Paradise Point Resort will present various food stations featuring California coastal-themed cuisine. Partnering with WasteNotSD, Closing the Loop, and Paradise Point Resort, which is one of Southern California’s green hotels, Surfrider San Diego is proud to announce the Art Gala & Auction is committed to producing zero waste. Notable members of the community are on the host committee, including: Allison Andrews; City Councilmember Barbara Bry; president and CEO of Canter Cos. Andrew Canter; California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria; executive director of the Center for Sustainable Energy Len Hering; COO of San Diego Tourism Authority Kerri Kapich; CEO of Clique Hospitality and owner of Lionfish Andy Masi; music director and host of FM94.9 Jeremy Pritchard; Carlsbad City Councilmember and former longboard surf champion Cori Schumacher; CEO of Pura Vida Bracelets Griffin Thall; Torri; and actor Scott Eastwood. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sandiego.surfrider.org/artgala/.
