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The Bridgette Mayer Gallery is pleased to announce its 2010 benefit exhibition honoring Ready, Willing & Able–Philadelphia (RWA). Gallery owner Bridgette Mayer is excited to partner with RWA to help promote their mission of ending homelessness, substance abuse and criminal recidivism by providing transitional work, supportive services and clean, safe housing to homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals in Philadelphia.
After a successful 2009 benefit with a $15,000 donation to Back on My Feet, this year’s benefit will feature over one hundred 10" x 10" panels by gallery artists, including Philadelphia artists, national artists, and an RWA trainee, ranging in price from $500-$1,000. A special exhibit in the Vault Room will feature portraits of the “men in blue” by emerging visual artist Kyle Ferino. Proceeds from the event will benefit RWA.
Established in 2001, the Gallery has a strong commitment to support contemporary works by artists from the Philadelphia region and beyond. “We are honored to be an integral part of the Philadelphia art community, supporting the careers of 19 area artists and now celebrating our ninth year,” says gallery owner Bridgette Mayer.
A frequent traveler to New York, Mayer had seen the “men in blue” of RWA – named for their trademark bright blue work uniforms – in various parts of Manhattan. Mayer was happy to see them working in Philadelphia, where they maintain public spaces such as Fairmount Park, LOVE Park, and Rittenhouse Square.
“I was out for a run one morning and came across a work crew in Rittenhouse Square. I stopped my run and went over to talk to them and was surprised to hear that RWA had been in Philadelphia since 2001,” says Mayer. “So when I was looking for a partner organization for our 2010 Benefit, all I could think about was helping get the word out about RWA. Not only do they make our city a cleaner place to live, they make it a better place to live by helping individuals become independent and contributing members of our community.”
Mayer’s goal is to double the amount raised through last year's benefit, by raising $30,000 at the event, which will help provide paid-work, housing, food, support services, and the all-important paid job training that program participants need “to regain their independence, sense of worth, and pride,” concluded Mayer.
The Benefit opening will be held on June 4th, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at The Bridgette Mayer Gallery, located at 709 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more information on the exhibition, please contact Bridgette Mayer at (t) 215-413-8893 (e) bmayer@bridgettemayergallery.com.
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