In it's 10th year, the art benefit Corazon: The Art of the Heart logged its most handsome haul to date -- $3,000 -- for the Center for Artistic Revolution, a community center for LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) adults and youths based at First Presbyterian Church downtown. The curiously named nonprofit with the punnable acronym CAR was begun 11 years ago by Randi Romo.
Romo, along with Pam Jernigan, provided the top two art pieces in the silent auction, each winning bids of $225. In all, there were 50 pieces of art hung through Boswell Mourot Fine Art in the Heights neighborhood, and music by That Arkansas Weather.
"This year is the most fabulous show we've ever had," youth programs coordinator Kat Crisp said, speaking before the fundraising haul was known, specifically about the caliber of art present.
The community center is where PFLAG (formerly Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) meets as well as the home of the Lucille Marie Hamilton Youth Drop-In Center. On CAR's wish list is a rotation of licensed counselors willing to volunteer to conduct therapy sessions at the center.
Among CAR's campaigns is lobbying state politicians to include the words "sexual orientation and gender identity" to the state's civil rights law.
The free wine and beer provided at the auction prompted the two volunteer bartenders to put out a tip jar -- the more than $100 they scooped up went right back to CAR.
The nonprofit's budget is about $150,000.
"Each year we reach out to more people," Crisp said.
High Profile on 07/13/2014