While this week in Hollywood is about recognizing Oscar nominees with the Academy Awards ceremony coming up this Sunday, the Art of Elysium and its star supporters recognized the needs of children battling serious medical conditions last night at the charity’s 5th annual “Pieces of Heaven” Art Auction. The event, held at Smashbox Studios in West Hollywood, benefited the Elysium Project-the Art of Elysium’s flagship arts initiative bridging the gap between the artists and hospitalized children.
Along with the help of Christie’s, guests enjoyed live entertainment, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while bidding on a showcase of over 80 works of art donated by artists, dealers and private collectors that support the charity.
Celebrity attendees included Ali Larter, Topher Grace, Sophia Bush, Alicia Witt, Chris Masterson, Petra Nemcova and Shanola Hampton who was full of exuberance when talking about her time at the workshops with the kids. “I usually go and do reading. What's great about Art of Elysium is there's so many opportunities to get involved. You can actually be an active member of going into the hospital and doing art-work and improv and reading to the children and meeting these kids. There are some incredible children that you meet”, said the “Shameless” actress. “Just being able to kind of keep their minds off of what's happening-even if it's just for a moment-it's such a nice thing. So I just love Art of Elysium. It really, really makes a difference. You get to know them and watch some go through their recovery. It's just fantastic!”
Click on the sideshow up top to see photos of the celebrity guests from the event.
Actress Alicia Witt also shared her views of how the arts are significant in making a difference in the spirits of the children in the hospital. “The difference art makes in a kid's life when they have music or Arts education or writing classes, in terms of the hospital: it's like a form of distractive therapy for kids who are just spending so much of their life focused on their illness and treatment. It gives them hope.” And the difference transcends to the artists, as Witt says the kids themselves have just as much of an impact on the talent they visit with. “Anytime you go into the hospital as an artist, the thing that strikes you is how much they give to you as well as you give to them. It really reminds you as an artist that what you do for a living, even though sometimes it becomes stressful, it reminds you it's not something to be stressed about, it's something to just live through and be grateful for. And these kids are fighting for their lives and you go in and share something that's such a big part of your life and it brings a smile on their face and it sort of changes you."
The Art of Elysium is a non-profit organization that encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling medical conditions. Founded in 1997 by Jennifer Howell, the charity provides workshops for kids emphaizing on arts and creativity through programs focusing on Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Music, Self-Esteem and Theater Arts. All funds raised during a live and silent auction last night benefited the charity.
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