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Artists Combine Forces To Help Joshua House

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: November 10, 2007

LAND O' LAKES - Artist Wes Metzger of Land O' Lakes painted a portrait of President Bush and first lady Laura Bush that hangs at the couple's private ranch.

St. Petersburg artist Norm Altenhoff's work can be found anywhere from the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and Ruth Eckerd Hall to various art galleries in St. Petersburg.

Now these artists have joined forces with a Land O' Lakes business to provide happier holidays - and more promising futures - for children in need as part of the Angels For Art fundraiser.

Through Dec. 15, members of the general public can buy tickets for a drawing to win paintings created by these two artists.

Proceeds of this drawing, hosted by Weck's Deli, will benefit Joshua House.

"We wanted to give back to the community, and this is a good cause," said John Miller, who co-owns Weck's Deli with Alex Altenhoff. "The Joshua House helps children who have been abused and neglected."

Alex Altenhoff called upon some personal connections for this benefit. Norm Altenhoff, his father, donated his abstract painting "Peace at Last" for the event.

"My son has been posting my work at the deli since the day it opened," said Norm Altenhoff, a member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters. "He asked me to donate a painting for this worthy cause, and I thought it was a wonderful idea.

"By helping Joshua House, we're doing this for kids whose parents might not be supportive," he said.

"It's a great cause," said Wes Metzger, who was a client of Alex Altenhoff when Altenhoff worked at Lennar Homes. "Joshua House is a place for kids who are being abused. And if their parents can be rehabilitated, Joshua House works to reunite their families."

Metzger donated his painting "Cascades" for the benefit.

"I've donated paintings for benefits before," said Metzger, who once won a Businessman's Choice Award at a Strawberry Festival art show.

"I love to paint. And since I moved to Land O' Lakes three years ago, I paint all the time.

"More people should participate in benefits like these, to help Joshua House," he said.

According to Miller, the timing of this event is particularly relevant.

"People can buy chances for the paintings until Dec. 15," he said. "This will give us a chance to get the money to Joshua House right before the holidays.

"And 100 percent of the proceeds go to Joshua House," he said.

ANGELS FOR ART

SOME BACKGROUND: Weck's Deli in Land O' Lakes hosts Angels For Art, a fundraiser for the Joshua House. Through Dec. 15, people can buy tickets that will be entered in a drawing to win paintings by two local artists, Wes Metzger of Land O' Lakes and Norm Altenhoff of St. Petersburg.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: All proceeds from this benefit will go to support Joshua House, a program of the Children's Home Society of Florida in Lutz. According to a Weck's news release, "It is an emergency residential shelter providing 24-hour care for children ages 6 and older... The Joshua House not only supplies the children with safety but also makes sure they have hot meals, clothes, school supplies and presents for their birthdays and holidays."

A LITTLE HISTORY: Angels For Art kicked off Nov. 2.

WHAT'S NEXT?: Tickets for the Angels For Art drawing are available for $5 each or five for $20.

GET INVOLVED: Weck's Deli is at 21511 Village Lakes Shopping Center on State Road 54, one block east of U.S. 41 between Sweetbay and Goodwill. The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The drawing will take place on or around Dec 15; the paintings are displayed in the deli.

For more information, call (813) 433-3533.

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