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LA Artcore Union Center for the Arts announces Ubuntu Charity Benefit

Ubuntu Charity Benefit, Art Show and Film Screening to benefit Russell Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation – Proceeds benefit the Rush Philanthropic Arts Education & Gallery Programs

The Ubuntu Charity Benefit, will take place on March 1, 2012 and include an art exhibit, film screening and live auction featuring emerging African artists. The event will take place at the historic LA Artcore Gallery & Art Center located at 120 Judge John Aiso Street in Los Angeles, opposite MOCA downtown. A portion of proceeds from the evening will be donated to the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering emerging and underrepresented artists.

“I am honored that the Ubuntu Charity Benefit has chosen Rush Philanthropic as this year’s beneficiary. The old Ubuntu adage that “I am because you are” has never been more true. When we acknowledge the connectedness of all of us, and sow good seeds by supporting emerging artists, we uplift and empower entire communities,” says Russell Simmons, Rush Philanthropic Co-founder.

Confirmed celebrity guests attending the event include Rosario Dawson, Brian Grazer, Meagan Good, Eva Amurri, Brett Ratner, Rockmund Dunmar, Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, among others. The benefit will take place at the historic LA Artcore, which was an abandoned Japanese union church recently transformed into a non-profit art center dedicated to developing the careers of visual artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, bringing innovative contemporary art to the public.

Event organizers Gloria Huwiler and Tulsi Karpio produced the Ubuntu Charity Benefit as an effort to promote diversity in the film and art community by showcasing work from talented African artists. Gloria Huwiler, is an actress and philanthropist dedicated to promoting performing and fine artists in Africa. Raised in Zambia, she has a deep commitment to developing artistic work from Africa, and helping the careers of fellow creatives on the continent. Tulsi Karpio has worked extensively in the art and philanthropic worlds, curating and promoting Latin American Art.

Event partners, Supperclub, will coordinate food and entertainment for the evening with exquisite hors d’oeuvres and African-inspired specialty cocktails from our sponsors Remy Martin, Highland Park, The Macallan and Brugal. In addition to the artwork, Ford Models will partner with LA designer Mike Vensel to create an African inspired fashion installation, while music and dance troupe Balle Fette bu Senegal perform live. Each guest will receive a complimentary gift bag from Blissmo, filled with unique eco-friendly products. The event sponsors, AEG and John Rubey, President AEG Network LIVE, Lafarge and Joumana Rizk are committed to promoting performing and fine artists from Africa.

The fundraising portion of the benefit features an art-themed live auction benefiting the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s Artist in Residency program. For one year, an African artist will be chosen to train and gain exposure at the Rush Galleries in New York, made possible by the Artist in Residency opportunity. The exhibit and live auction features pieces from Los Angeles artist Azul “213” Amaral, local artist/actor Rockmond Dunbar, award winning Zambian artists Mwamba Mulangala, Starry Mwaba, Vincentio Phiri, Lutanda Mwamba, Geoffrey Phiri, veteran artist and curator William Bwalya Miko, and Zambian sculptors The Zeta Brothers and Rikki Lungu.

The screening of critically acclaimed BAFTA-nominated short film ‘Mwansa The Great’ will take place following the live auction. Zambian writer, director and producer Rungano Nyoni takes us on a journey through the eyes of a Zambian boy and shows us the spirit of playfulness and love along with the sadness and hardships of growing up in Africa. ‘Mwansa The Great’ premiered in March 2011 at Cineposible Film Festival and has been awarded twelve prizes and two jury special mentions. The film has made appearances at more than fifty film festivals worldwide.

Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation is dedicated to providing inner-city youth with significant exposure and access to the arts, and to offering exhibition opportunities for underrepresented artists and artists of color. Rush was founded in 1995 by three brothers: Danny Simmons, visual artist and community builder; media mogul Russell Simmons; and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of the legendary hip-hop group Run-DMC. Their goal was to fill the gap that the disenfranchised and people of color faced in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities. Over the past 16 years, Rush has developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to addressing these issues. Designed to inspire students, provide positive alternatives to high-risk behaviors and support increased academic performance, Rush Education programs directly serve 2,300 students annually. In addition, each year Rush exhibits the work of 40 to 50 emerging and community-based artists in its galleries; welcomes over 10,000 gallery visitors; and provides unique opportunities for young people interested in careers in the arts. Rush currently operates galleries and arts education programs at Rush Arts Gallery in Manhattan and Corridor Gallery in Brooklyn.

www.rushphilanthropic.org

LA Artcore Union Center for the Arts
120 Judge John Aiso St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.laartcore.org

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