The fourth annual Art for Recovery Fundraiser, hosted by Living Free Health, is set to return on Friday, March 14, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Nugget Hotel & Casino. The event supports Living Free Health’s treatment, housing, and recovery services and is expected to sell out early, following last year’s capacity crowd of more than 200 attendees.
Created by CEO and founder of Living Free Health, Shelley Poerio, the Art for Recovery Fundraiser combines live entertainment, powerful recovery stories, and an extensive live and silent auction to raise funds and awareness for individuals rebuilding their lives through recovery. Organizers are encouraging early support, noting that donations made are tax deductible.
This year’s program will feature five recovery speakers whose journeys reflect the breadth of Living Free Health’s impact. Speakers include men and women who entered treatment and housing programs while facing significant personal challenges and have since completed or are completing treatment with the Fifth Judicial District Drug Court program. Their paths include achieving independent living, securing and advancing in local employment, becoming new parents, and returning to Living Free Health as peer support professionals and program leaders.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by John Michael Ferrari, joined by Sophie Love and Pepper Jay. The live auction will be led by Ski Censke of Estate 411 Auctions. Event staffing and support will be provided by Soroptimist International Pahrump Valley.
Art remains at the heart of the fundraiser. Several original commissioned works donated by members of the Arts Collective of Nye County will be featured, along with a special original main piece created by Poerio’s mother. As her ability to create large works becomes more limited, her art has grown increasingly rare. Smaller pieces of her work will also be included in silent auction baskets.
In addition to artwork, organizers are curating a diverse selection of high-value items for the live auction, including anticipated offerings such as vacation packages, professional sports memorabilia or event tickets, jewelry, precious metals, and bundled services. The silent auction is planned to be particularly robust, with themed baskets designed to appeal to a wide range of interests, each including an original piece of art.
Tickets and table sponsorships are on sale now. New this year is a business sponsorship option that includes a roughly 4-foot by 8-foot banner displayed inside Living Free Gym for one year. While designed with businesses in mind, the sponsorship is also open to family trusts, foundations, and individual supporters. Organizers say the new option was created to meet growing demand, as ticket sales are expected to reach capacity well ahead of the event date.
Tickets, sponsorship information, and additional details are available at livingfreehealth.org/art.
