Red Tree offers coffee, art, philanthropy

If you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee, to see local art or do your part to support the American Cancer Society, a local gallery has you covered.

Artists for a Cause Silent Auction, held at Oakley’s Redtree Gallery for four weeks in October and November, benefits both the American Cancer Society and the local artists who have donated special pieces.  

The mission of Redtree, a combination art gallery and coffee shop, is to encourage both emerging and established artists, with an emphasis on the local arts community. Local artists create over 90 percent of the art featured at Redtree, which features all mediums styles and expressions.  
 
With six open-call shows a year, the gallery actively supports emerging artists who may never have shown before. Alison Lee, marketing and development director for Redtree, sees that as one of the gallery’s main missions: “to get people to submit art, to have the courage to do that.”   

The coffee shop, with its fair-trade coffee, specialty drinks and relaxed seating, offers opportunities to continue this conversation about art every day. “I feel it breaks down barriers, maybe the idea of art galleries being stuffy or unapproachable,” Lee says. Visitors who come for a cup of coffee may never have visited an art gallery before. “This exposes them to artwork and inspires a sense of community” with the art world.  

The ongoing Artists for a Cause is one of Redtree’s group shows. Suggested by local artist Bruno Zabagilo, the silent auction has more than 30 local artists’ work, on which customers can submit written bids through an entire month. Proceeds benefit the cancer society. Gallery owner Wendy Smith sees this as another extension of Redtree’s mission. “Bruno and I have both had relationships with people with cancer, as so many people do,” she says. “And we’re always excited and happy to support an artist who is passionate about something like this.”  

Do Good:

• Attend: Opening Night of Artists for a Cause, Friday, Oct. 14, 6-9 p.m.

• Support: the American Cancer Society anytime.

• Visit: Redtree to grab a cup of coffee and bid on silent auction items. The auction ends Saturday, Nov. 5, at 9 p.m.

By Becky Johnson