KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Artist John R. Clarke will be present at two winery locations during the annual Lake County Wine Adventure the weekend of July 30-31 to sign and sell his limited edition fine art poster that promotes the 2011 Lake County Wine Auction.
Wildhurst Vineyards in downtown Kelseyville will host Clarke on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
His original painting, “Thankful in Lake County,” is on display in the adjacent Saw Shop Gallery Bistro.
Steele Wines, located between Kelseyville and Lakeport, will provide the venue for Clarke on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clarke, a Lake County resident and C.R.N.A. (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), creates a new watercolor-on-silk painting each year and donates it to the Wine Alliance to be auctioned off during the annual charity event.
He has done over 400 paintings in his specialty medium, many of which are in Lake County collections and public facilities.
The Wine Alliance has reproduced the original art and proceeds from the poster sales, at $20 each, will benefit the nonprofit organizations and programs that have been selected as this year’s beneficiaries. The painting will be among special items up for bid during the live auction.
The 12th annual Lake County Wine Auction will be on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Ceago Vinegarden in Nice, which is serving as the host venue for the second year.
Two ticket prices will be offered this year. The Grand Tasting ticket will include an afternoon of wine and food tasting in the Ceago courtyard, a commemorative wineglass and tasting plate, and participation in the silent auction for $75 per person. This portion of the event will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.
The Grand Tasting and Auction Reserve ticket will include all of the items for the Grand Tasting ticket as well as a gift tote, reserved seating for the served, three-course dinner, the live auction, and dancing for $150 per person. This portion of the event will start at 3 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
The attire for this year’s charity event is Wine Country chic. Attendees must be 21 years and older. Music in the afternoon will be provided by David Neft on the keyboard.
During the evening, entertainers Twice as Good will play for dancing. Lake County businessman Bill Brunetti is the honorary chair; Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green are the auctioneers.
The Lake County Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of Lake County wineries, winegrape growers, and allied businesses whose mission is to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region, has contributed over $831,000 to local nonprofit organizations and agencies in the past eleven years.
Beneficiaries for this year are, by category: in the arts, the fine arts programs at five high schools; in health services, Any Positive Change, Catholic Charities-Rural Food Program, and Meals on Wheels programs at five senior centers; and in the community, Lake County Council of Church Women United, Lake County Literacy Coalition, Military Funeral Honors Team, Northshore Fire Protection District, Operation Tango Mike, and People Services, Inc.
Tickets are available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org, or by calling 866-279-WINE to make reservations. Mailed requests for tickets and reservations may be sent to P.O. Box 530, Kelseyville, CA 95451.