LYNN – A large number of Raw Art Works supporters will gather in the Central Square space Saturday for the organization’s annual major fundraiser, “BASH: Party with a Purpose.”
There will be live music for dancing by the Chicken Slacks. Heavy hors d’ouevres will be prepared by Timothy Hopkins Catering of Essex. Beverages will be provided by Bent Water Brewing, Samuel Adams, Rumson’s Rum, and Kappy’s Fine Wine and Spirits. For dessert, chocolates will be provided by Stowaway Sweets of Marblehead.
But the main highlight is the live and silent art auction, which features works created by RAW alumni.
Kathe Swaback, program director, said the Door 2 Door alumni group has gotten together every Sunday to paint. They make the majority of the artwork auctioned at BASH. Bernd Haussman, an internationally-known artist based in Marblehead, has donated a painting for the auction. “He was my mentor about 20 years ago,” said Swaback, “and he is a big supporter of what we do here at RAW.”
“The art is displayed in our front gallery,” said Swaback. “We’ve set aside an hour and 15 minutes for all of the artwork to be bid on.”
BASH attendees will find much to like at the auction. This is a talented group. Even a piece of a RAW table – covered with paint and looking like an abstract masterpiece – has been displayed and will be for sale. Jason Cruz, RAW clinical supervisor, has named the piece “Their Stories.”
For three decades, RAW has pursued its mission to ignite the desire to create and the confidence to succeed in underserved youth. A variety of free programming, from painting to printing to filmmaking, is offered to youngsters ages 7 to 19.
RAW served 585 kids and young adults from Lynn and North Shore communities in the 2016-2017 school year. Nearly 80 percent of participants are from Lynn and 83 percent come from low-income families. More than 60 percent are Hispanic/Latino, Asian, African-American or mixed race.
Looking ahead, on Thursday night RAW will hold its annual block party and celebrate the opening of its new exhibit “EleMEnts.”
“BASH: Party With a Purpose,” tonight, 7:30, at Raw Art Works, 37 Central Square, Lynn. Click here for ticket information. For more information about RAW, go to rawartworks.org.
