By now you probably have seen these doll house sized homes scattered in public spots around Marin. The homes were created as part of Ritter Center’s Art Houses of Marin project designed to channel the dedication of local arts and culture into an awareness of homelessness in Marin County. The scale model homes were designed and decorated by local artists. They have been displayed around Marin for the last two months and will be auctioned off on Saturday.
There are approximately 1770 homeless people living in Marin on any given day according to a 2009 Marin County Point-in-time count of homeless persons. The homeless problem in Marin has increased because of the economic down turn in the last year.
The Art Houses will be auctioned off on Saturday night at the 2010 Art Houses of Marin Gala Auction taking place at Villa di Santa, the private hilltop residence of the Woodland Market owners.
- What: 2010 Art Houses of Marin Gala Auction
- When: Saturday, May 1, 2010
- Where: Villa di Santa, Kent Woodlands
- Purchase Tickets
- More Info
Proceeds from the project will go to Ritter Center, a non-profit organization that has been providing free assistance to Marin’s low income and homeless population for 28 years. How they plan to use the money:
- Expand basic services and support of food, clothing, financial assistance for housing and employment, including important case management.
- Increase current Health Clinic hours and capacity to provide better care and assistance for the under-served, under-insured or uninsured.
- Begin the process of finding the “Future Home†for Ritter Center when the lease ends in the next 5 years.
- Actively address fiscally responsible solutions and humanitarian outcomes by collaborating with community leaders and partners to end homelessness.
If you would like to donate directly to the project, click here.
~Ginger
Image courtesy of Andy Kaufman