TRUNKS ART will be at the Vita Art Center's ANONYMOUS GALA through December 21rst!

Ventura, CA — December 7, 2012 — TRUNKS ART and dozens of other well-known and emerging local artists donated their creative efforts for a fundraiser for the Vita Art Center, a West Ventura teaching facility which offers local youth a safe and nurturing environment during their least structured and therefore highest-risk times: after school, on weekends, and during the summer months.

Called the "Anonymous" exhibition, the event features 12-inch-by-12-inch canvasses. The paintings are exhibited anonymously with the artists signing the back of their paintings.

"Visitors collect art without knowing who the artist is until after they've purchased the piece," said Vita Art Center Founder Mary Perez. "The fun is for visitors to collect work they like and maybe pick out a favorite artist's work or collect a new artist."

The Friday, Dec. 7 event begins with a 5-6 p.m. "First Dibs" gala, for those who want the first chance to look over and purchase the exhibited works. Wine and delicious appetizers will be served. After 6 p.m., the event is free and open to the public and runs through Friday, Dec. 21.

This is the fourth year of the annual "Anonymous" exhibition. "It's our biggest fundraiser of the year," Perez said. "Last year we sponsored hundreds of youths in our art programs, totaling more than $14,000 in scholarships to families with financial need."

All Vita Art Center classes are taught by local artists. "Not only do we help youth, we create jobs for local artists," Perez (center) added.

The Vita Art Center, located at 432 Ventura Ave. Studio 30, in the Bell Arts Factory, offers consistent, quality art education and mentoring which impacts social development, academic achievement, and vocational opportunities for youth and teens. Studies show that when youth have substantial engagements with the arts they are more likely to go to college, get good grades, obtain a degree and to hold a full-time job. The facility is an educational not for-profit organization under the sponsorship of Bell Arts Factory, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Contributions to the Vita Art Center are fully tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

For more information, contact Mary Perez at (805) 644-9214, MaryPerez@sbcglobal.net or visit www.VitaArtCenter.com. To see more of my work, please visit my website and blog. If you're interested in having a custom art or custom art surfboard brighten up your home, office or business, please don't hesitate to contact me.