Local Art Inspires Global Change in Los Altos, CA
When Neal Hilo of The Method Makers was browsing a downtown farmers’ market in Los Altos, California, he walked into a fantastic opportunity--literally! Curiously stopping at a bike shop in Los Altos managed by Matthew McDonald, Neal discovered a transformative partnership that has grown into an incredible event called the Los Altos Art & Bike Charity. The event will take place on September 21, 2012 at the 359 State Street Bike Shop in Los Altos and 100% of the proceeds will benefit World Bicycle Relief.
As manager of 359 State Street Bike Shop, Matthew had recently learned of World Bicycle Relief when he was introduced to FK Day’s Super Burner Extreme Buffalo Bike at a Bike Coalition meeting. So by the time Neal serendipitously walked into 359, Matthew had already been tossing around the idea of a fundraiser. When he was introduced to the Method Makers, the pieces started falling in place beautifully.
The Method Makers are a group of ambitious art curators who curate live art events on a variety of platforms to support local unrecognized artists. Believing that the Bay Area--with all its diversity, creativity, and innovation--is a melting pot for artists to be recognized and thrive, the group feels called to be the listeners, the curators, the community organizers, and hence “the method makers” to make all good things happen!
WBR will be the first global non-profit that The Method Makers have ever worked with. Inspired by the impact bicycles make in the developing world, the group is pumped to add to that growing number of bicycles getting in the hands of students, health workers, farmers, and many more whose lives can be transformed--and to do it through local art.
The September 21 event will include live music performed by Secret Sidewalk, sketch artists, painting, drinks, gallery exhibits, raffles for live artwork, and a silent auction for all sorts of local products and services. Additionally, local sculptor James Stoval will be displaying a Beniamino Bufano original--a 12 foot giraffe!
And even now, in preparation for the event, some mind-boggling art is being created on the sidewalks of Los Altos --a method called Tromp-l'oeil, French for "deceive the eye". Check out this progression on the sidewalk near 359:
With all of this talent and passion for changing lives, Neal notes, “It makes sense to partner with the World Bicycle Relief and to utilize our artists' strengths to bring awareness to the cause while enjoying a live art event from local Bay Area artists. We look forward to being part of this event and to making a difference locally and globally!”
Learn more about The Method Makers >
Contribute toward their cause & support World Bicycle Relief >
