The winner of the silent auction was Mr and Mrs. Loitta of Cobb. Fowler has been an important supporter of the effort. Photo courtesy of Gail Salituri.

LAKEPORT – A memorial fundraiser that honors a local artist while supporting the building of a local domestic violence shelter will continue into 2009.

Gail Salituri of Inspirations Gallery created the LaForge Memorial Fund earlier this year in memory of her friend Barbara LaForge.

Along the way, Salituri has garnered some important support from local organizations and members of the business community.

The Lake County Arts Council has joined the effort, providing space for the raffle sales at the November Friday Night Fling at their Main Street Gallery in Lakeport.

Raffle tickets were sold for John Clarke's custom framed “Cable Car” lithograph. The winner is Sabrina Rogers. The winning tickets were drawn by Kathy Fowler at Inspirations Gallery and winners were notified by phone.

Lyle Madeson's photography of a boat on Clearlake was won by Lakeport Police Officer Mark Hommer of Lakeport.

The signed and numbered “Cable Car” lithograph brought in several bids and the final winning bidder was by Diane DeBartolo.

"Every dime we collect will be presented to the Lake Family Resource Center to help them build the shelter,” said Salituri.

“I first learned about this shelter from a local news article and realized it would be the perfect beneficiary,” she said. “Kathy Fowler has been right by my side in every way you can image when it comes to assisting this project, it makes this such a delightful and heartfelt cause and event."

Salituri said her goal is to generate $5,000, but in the struggling economy she is only halfway there.

Kathy Fowler shows off Salituri's original painting of Springer's Pond at the November First Friday Fling. Photo courtesy of Gail Salituri.

“So this means, we continue,” she said. “It does not end here, we will take this event right into 2009. I will continue to paint for this project until we reach our goals.”

Salituri offered her gratitude to those who come to her with donations or who buy raffle tickets.

This month they will begin selling raffle tickets for a beveled mirror valued at $600, a silver tray donated by the Kitchen Gallery, a gift certificate from Main Street Pizza and a very exciting new Giclee, "Pomo Basket" from Salituri's archived collection, "Pomo Artifacts." This Giclee is 11x14 in size and valued at $375.

Various auction items are on display at Inspirations Gallery. They have several 8-inch by 10-inch originals of vineyards with opening bids of $99, with suggested retail at $400. All custom framing is donated by Sheri Salituri. Winners will be announced on Valentine's Day.

Donations can be made to the LaForge Memorial at any Westamerica Bank, or contact Gail or Sheri Salituri at 263-4366 or www.gailsalituri.com.

Sabrina Rogers, left, with the custom-framed John Clarke lithograph of a cable car. Gail Salituri stands at right. Photo courtesy of Gail Salituri.

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