Embrace the Future Gala and Art Auction
11:14 PMCapitol de Beaute Blog by Melanie Woodroffe
{Beth Daughter}
“In recent years, Clarkson has become a haven for families fleeing from war, famine, poverty
and disease. Many of those families need our help as they work to rebuild their lives here in the
U.S.,” said the Clarkston Community Center executive director Cindy Bowdon. “We are honored
that our volunteer Mark Karelson, owner and curator of Mason Fine Art, has assembled a wideranging
collection of fine art and is hosting our event. Art and craft prices will start at less than
$100.”
Mason Fine Art and Events in Midtown will host “Embrace the
Future,” a gala and art auction to benefit the Clarkson Community Center (CCC), Friday -
Saturday, July 14-15. Artists from across Atlanta and around the world contributed works for
silent and live auctions of fine art painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry and
mixed-media works, along with handmade folk art and crafts that include décor, wearables and
accessories.
“Embrace the Future: A Gala and Art Auction,” kicks off Friday, July 14 from 6 - 9 p.m., followed
by a live auction of over 300 works Saturday, July 15 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Both will take place
at Mason Fine Art and Events in Midtown, 415 Plasters Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324. The event will
exhibit a variety of artworks by many internationally-known artists with strong Georgia
connections, including photographer Shine Huang, a Chinese national and recent graduate of
SCAD’s MFA program whose art graces the event poster. Noted Atlanta photographer Lucinda
Bunnen contributed a series of portraits taken of participants at ESOL (English as a second
language) classes for refugees.
Expect a lively evening with music and dance performances by traditional African dance
company Uhuru dancers and a variety of ethnic foods encompassing Ethiopian, Syrian,
Caribbean, Senegalese and Venezuelan cuisines. Additionally, keynoter Heval Kelli, M.D.,
Cardiology Fellow at Emory University School of Medicine, will speak about his journey from
Syrian refugee to Emory doctor. Tickets to the gala on Friday are $25 per person, or $40 for
two; there will be a cash bar.
American President of the World Craft Council, UNESCO, curated the collection of international
craft and folk art available for sale. A small representation of folk and outsider art is also
included.
In addition to the donated artworks for this charity event, a portion of the Mason Fine Art’s
existing collection will be available for silent auction bidding during the Friday night Gala. Gala
attendees may make early bids during the evening of July 14 for the artworks to be featured in
the Saturday auction event.
“Art can be a way to express thoughts and feelings that are difficult to verbalize.
Through VSA
Arts of Georgia, we created “Art as a Second Language Program,” an art project for a group of
senior citizens in Clarkston including refugees and longtime residents at the Clarkston
Community Center. After witnessing the collaboration and solace they experience from creating
art together, I reached out to a number of artists for this event,” said Karelson. “I want to thank
Pilgrims Pride Corporation, Stop & Save Group LLC and Asal Tax and Travel for helping us make
this fundraiser possible.”
Tickets for the Friday evening event can be purchased here.
The Saturday auction is free and
open to public. On Saturday, July 15, the auction will be held beginning at 11 a.m. (preview
at 10 a.m.) at Mason Fine Art. Patrons also may come to the gallery at any time during normal
hours before the auction to preview and leave absentee bids.
The works are already on display.
Online bidding is available here. For more information about this event, please visit here.
About Clarkston Community Center
The Clarkston Community Center offers programs for children, teens, adults and seniors,
centered around art, recreation and community building. The Center serves over 40,000
individuals annually, primarily from Clarkston and greater DeKalb County, Ga., many of whom
have immigrated to the United States or are newly-arrived refugees.
About Mason Fine Art and Events
Nestled conveniently between Buckhead and Midtown, Mason Fine Art and Events is a unique
21,000 square foot fine art gallery and special event venue. The gallery specializes in
contemporary painting, sculpture and photography. It’s open to the public Tuesdays through
Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturdays from noon – 5 p.m.
The building’s flexible, open
floor plan makes it an ideal location for special events of all types and sizes, including corporate
events, weddings, charity galas, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, auctions, fashion shows and holiday
parties.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Karin Koser, 404-276-6027, karin@kpkco.com
Solyee Kim, 678-622-1854, solyee@kpkco.com
Mark Karelson, 404-879-1500, mark@masonfineartandevents.com
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