Acclaimed Local Artist and Cancer Survivor Auctions Painting to Benefit Organic Soup Kitchen

Local artist and sculptor, Jim Bess, will auction one of his original paintings with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Organic Soup Kitchen. The painting will be on display at an art retrospective, “Jim Bess: The First 90 Years” at Voice Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza. The auction will be held at 6:30pm at the Opening Reception on First Thursday, December 7th. 

“Jim is an extraordinary artist, and we are honored to be the recipient of such a generous gift,” says Andrea Slaby, Chief Operating Officer at Organic Soup Kitchen. “As a cancer survivor and long time Organic Soup Kitchen client, Jim knows first hand the impact proper nutrition has on healing. We are incredibly grateful for his support of our mission.”

Jim first picked up a paintbrush as a child in the 1930’s. It was love at first canvas stroke, and set the stage for a lifelong passion for teaching, painting and sculpting. Jim says, “I am aware of the intimate relationship between artist and materials, much like the dialogue between two people…occasionally, almost total destruction gives birth to a new direction.” Jim’s work has best been described as “intuitive, engaging and deliberately provocative.” 

The retrospective and sale will take place December 3rd through December 30th at the Voice Gallery in La Cumbre Plaza, 1110 S. Hope Avenue. Gallery Hours are Monday through Friday 10-5:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 1-5pm. The Opening Reception is Thursday, December 7th, Jim’s 90th birthday, from 5–8pm with 10% of all sales that evening going to Organic Soup Kitchen. 

Organic Soup Kitchen is committed to organic food for all. Through education, advocacy and programs, the agency provides nutrition and food security to cancer patients, chronically ill and low income individuals throughout Santa Barbara county. The organization has served more than 3 million bowls of nutrient dense SoupMeals since 2009. Organic Soup Kitchen is one of only 1% of nonprofits in the US to achieve platinum status on Guidestar. To nourish and support the health and wellness of the Santa Barbara County community, visit www.organicsoupkitchen.org.