LAKE COUNTY — The first of its kind in Lake County?a full-service domestic violence shelter set to break ground in Kelseyville in 2009?is getting a big boost from a grassroots fundraiser started by Lakeport artist Gail Salituri, to honor friend Barbara LaForge, a Lakeport woman who was brutally murdered in 2002.
Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC) is spearheading the shelter, which it has dubbed “Freedom House.” So far, $1,300 has been raised by Salituri”s fundraiser. The first drawing to auction off donated art works was held Sunday.
Executive Director of LFRC Gloria Flaherty, and Kathy Fowler, a businesswoman and secretary of the LFRC Board of Directors were at the event. Another $600,000 needs to be raised in the county to build the shelter, according to Flaherty.
Raffle winner of Kelseyville artist John Clarke”s lithograph, “Golden Gate” was Karen D”Bernardi of Kelseyville.
Salituri”s oil painting, inspired by the hills surrounding Beltramo Ranch in Upper Lake, “Lake County Hills Spring,” was won by Roger Rynearson in a silent auction. Salituri painted the piece for the fundraiser, and continues to conjure up artworks for the purpose of the domestic violence shelter cause.
The paintings were carted over to Kelseyville restaurant the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, where over the weekend they garnered $125 worth in raffle ticket sales, according to Salituri. More than 100 people purchased tickets.
“Even if you did not win the raffle, you are helping us build the shelter. That alone is a winner. Kathy Fowler and Gloria Flaherty have been with us every step of the way making this venture a blessing,” Salituri said.
Salituri and Fowler both spoke about the purpose of the fund at the Lake County Arts Council First Friday Fling last month.
“Thank you to everyone who has made our first raffle and auction a success,” Salituri said.
The goal is to raise a total of $5,000 by the end of the year, she added. “I won”t stop painting until our goals are met.”
Currently, Salituri is accumulating multiple items to raffle, and plans to soon display more art, including interior design items.
And donations are flowing in from outside the county as well, Salituri said, from LaForge”s friends who are in the framing business.
Sheri Salituri is donating all framing for future fundraiser artwork. The next drawing is set for August 1. Two pieces of art will be in the fundraiser, “America”s Pride,” a print of a Thomas Kinkade painting, custom-framed, 14 inches by 17 inches and worth $350; and a 24-inch by 30-inch beveled mirror, worth $650.
In the silent auction, an original oil painting by Salituri titled, “Overlooking Carmel, Monterey Cypress,” 8 inches by 10 inches, worth $475, is up for auction with the opening bid of $100 already met. “We received our first bid on Monday,” Salitrui said.
On October 1, another drawing featuring a Clarke lithograph, custom-framed, titled, “Cable Car” worth $400, will be up for raffle. In addition, an original oil painting by Salituri, “A View of Lake County” a 12-inch by 16-inch valued at $800, and a photograph, custom framed by Lyle Madeson worth $250 will be up for grabs.
Closing out the year, on December 1, a raffle for a silver tray donated by The Kitchen Gallery, and various prints donated by LaForge”s step brother Tom Gilliam”s estate, along with an original 8-inch by 10-inch oil painting of Koi by Salituri will be auctioned.
Raffle tickets are available at Inspirations Gallery at 165 N. Main Street in Lakeport, Lake Family Resource Center at 896 Lakeport Boulevard in Lakeport, and the Lakeport Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Boulevard in Lakeport.
Donations can be made to the LaForge Memorial at any West America Bank. Please make checks out to “LaForge Memorial Fund.”
If you would like more information about the Freedom House Domestic Violence Shelter Project, or would like to help in the fundraising campaign for the shelter, please call Gloria Flaherty at (707) 262-1611 or e-mail her at gloriaf@lakefrc.org.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the shelter at area Umpqua banks. Please make checks out to “Lake Family Building Fund.”
For more information on the art fundraiser, contact Gail Salituri at Inspirations Gallery at (707) 263-4366 or visit the LaForge Memorial Web site at www.gailsalitui.com/Memorial.html.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
