Art sale helps Ronald McDonald House

For the love of art, donate money to the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Florida.

That’s the message Carla Bonten, the owner of Carla Bonten Realty Inc., is trying to pass along to the art lovers of Bonita Springs and beyond.

Through her realty office, Bonten is selling art pieces donated by local artist Neil Farkas.

“Farkas donated a bunch of pieces of art for an art show I did earlier this year and we have a lot of good pieces that we have to let go off before the end of the year,” said Bonten, who has donated more than $30,000 to the Ronald McDonald House in south Fort Myers.

She has been fundraising since 1999 for the nonprofit, which provides housing for sick children and their parents by selling art.

Some of the artists donate the complete sale or just a portion after framing costs and art supplies are paid for.

“It’s a very good cause to do this because they help children, families and they do a great job everywhere,” she said about the program, which boasts more than 235 houses around the world.

The pieces available for purchase at Bonten’s Bonita Springs office off Spanish Wells Boulevard are part of a larger art show held previously but must be cleared out to make room for a larger show in January.

“We will do an even bigger show with a German artist but the goal now is to get offers and donate 100 percent of the money to the Ronald McDonald House,” Bonten said.

Currently on display, Farkas’ pieces have a universal appeal with images of the american flag, the Mona Lisa and other works that have been on display across the country in museums.

The images are unique in that Farkas uses a technique called “photosynthesis,” or a process of combining traditional media of lithography and seriography with tools of the digital age.

“We do these art shows all the time but this one is good because people can set their own price for the art. Any reasonable offer won’t be refused,” said Bonten’s marketing director, Sue Huff. “The artwork is always different but it’s for charity so we hope to get the most we can for it.”

Determining the final price is put on Bonten’s shoulders but her knowledge of art and experience in previous shows will give bidders a shot at nice art at an affordable price.

“It’s hard sometimes to give a price but we try to cover the framing costs and because we know it’s for charity we do what we can to get the most for it as long as it’s reasonable,” Bonten said.

Bonten got involved with the Ronald McDonald House after hearing the director speak on a morning radio station and invite donors to attend a special reception years ago.

“I established a ‘For the Love of Art’ program after visiting the house and seeing that what they are doing is really helpful for the families,” said Bonten about the fund she put together to ensure the money was getting into the right hands. “Everything goes to them and that’s what I want. To do my part and donate what I can.”