Local fine artist Gabriel Mark Lipper is inspired by Eyes to Burma’s efforts and accomplishments within a community of about 100 Burmese families who live and work at a rubbish dump on the Thai/Burma border. Gabriel commends the organization’s founder, Fred Stockwell, on his commitment to roll up his sleeves and get to work on the many urgent, unglamorous tasks that confronted him when he first arrived in Mae Sot in 2008. Since Stockwell began assisting this region, hundreds have benefited from the efforts of Eyes to Burma. The community now has clean water, medical assistance and very importantly, children now attend school. Other ongoing projects include food supplementation, shelter, work tools, and transportation to local hospitals.

Gabriel admires the problem-solving skills and stamina of the Eyes to Burma’s small team of volunteers and staff and feels fortunate that he can use his unique talent to support their work. An artist reception and benefit will feature Gabriel’s large-scale portraits that ask us to question our assumptions about worth, value and human connection. Thirty percent of the sale proceeds will be donated to Eyes to Burma, with the buyer retaining the tax donation. The exhibit entitled ‘Faces’ is currently on display at Élan Gallery, 245 West Main Street, Jacksonville. The artist reception will take place at Élan on Saturday, December 12, 2015 from 4:00-7:00pm.

Learn more about Gabriel Mark Lipper’s work at www.artofgabriel.com and the Eyes to Burma Project at www.eyestoburma.org.

For additional information call Élan at 541-899-8000 or email contact@elanguestsuites.com.