2008-11-08 16:47:02 -

- for Hollygrove Sandy Smith, 310-560-8372 sandy@aldrichpr.com A charity art auction held at Paramount Studios October 2 brought in $250,000 to fund art enrichment programs for children in crisis at Hollygrove www.hollygrove.org. The 24 large-scale paintings, which were auctioned by Guy Bennett, head of Christie's Impressionist and modern art, were created by 6- 13-year-olds in treatment at Hollygrove. Hollygrove has been helping children and families in the Los Angeles area for 127 years.

More than 250 guests dined under the stars at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood as prices reached as high as $45,000 for a painting called "Fade Away" by 11-year-old Genesis Villacorta. The auction was the culmination of a year-long project sponsored by Love & Art Children's Foundation

www.loveandart.org and the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund www.audreyhepburn.com.

"For many years Hollygrove has been committed to using the arts to help kids discover their unique talents. Watching these children grow and bloom over the last year has been amazing," said Martine Singer, executive director of Hollygrove. "This experience changed kids' lives, and in the process made everyone aware of their needs as well as their potential."

Love & Art brought their unique program to Hollygrove - working with children one-on-one to help them create the beautiful art works out of paint, glitter, gems of all sizes, spackle, small toys and more. The 6x4-foot painting for which the project was named, "Enchanted," features roses, marbles, feathers and butterflies against a painted background of gold, pink, yellow, blue and green paint and sparkles. Eleven-year-old Oscar Moran writes in the catalog," I felt so happy doing (Enchanted) because I could bring part of my personality into it. I just found out I have a wild imagination that I like sharing with people."

The Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, dedicated to children's causes around the world centering on education, abuse and neglect, was instrumental in bringing Love & Art to Hollygrove.

Hollygrove, an EMQ Children & Family Services agency, provides vital mental health and family supportive services to LA's at-risk children. We are recognized for innovative, family-centered programs that help children recover from crisis and rebuild their lives. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to help children, strengthen families, build community and advocate for systems change to ensure that families thrive. More information can be found at www.hollygrove.org.

Love & Art, Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund Supports Local
Children's Charity