Charity Auction Will Feature Work of Visionary Artist, Iron Eye RETNA, To Benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Smile Design Gallery

NEW YORK, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Foundation Fighting Blindness and Smile Design Gallery are teaming up on a March 6 celebration at Manhattan's Provocateur, featuring an art auction of unique pieces from well-known contemporary artist, Iron Eye RETNA. Primarily recognized for his graffiti creations, RETNA will be lending his artistic talents to paint a wall at Achievement First Brooklyn High School on March 5. He'll also be collaborating with students from this public charter school to create three one-of-a-kind canvas pieces for the March 6 charity art auction.

A portion of the art auction proceeds will benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness, an organization advancing sight-saving research for retinal diseases, and the Smile Design Gallery, an organization providing free dental care to people in need. A limited number of tickets are available for purchase online for $75 apiece, which includes entry and champagne.   

"We're honored to partner with RETNA, a true artistic genius, as we work to raise critical funds and awareness for blindness research," says Bradford Manning, a Foundation Fighting Blindness national trustee and co-founder of Macoma Capital Group, who launched the company's private investment fund in 2010. "Not only is RETNA's artistic name fitting alongside the Foundation's mission to treat and cure retinal diseases, but his willingness to support the cause is admirable."

Born and raised in Los Angeles, RETNA started his career in the early 1990s, developing a style derived from Blackletter, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, Arabic and Hebrew calligraphy, as well as more traditional types of street-based graffiti. In addition to exhibiting at institutions and galleries in Los Angeles, Miami, London, New York and Hong Kong, RETNA has also done work for global brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton and VistaJet.

WHAT: Charity Art Auction, featuring the work of Iron Eye RETNA to benefit the Foundation Fighting Blindness and Smile Design Gallery

WHERE: Provocateur, 18 9^th Avenue, New York, New York

WHEN: March 6, 2014, 7-9 p.m. (auction begins at 8 p.m.)

TICKETS: $75 each, available for purchase online

About Foundation Fighting Blindness
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is a national non-profit organization driving the research that will lead to preventions, treatments and cures for retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, Usher syndrome and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases that affect more than 10 million Americans. Since 1971, the Foundation has raised nearly $550 million as the leading non-governmental funder of inherited retinal research. Breakthrough Foundation-funded studies using gene therapy have restored significant vision in children and young adults who were previously blind, paving the way for additional clinical trials to treat a variety of retinal degenerative diseases. With a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the Foundation also has nearly 50 chapters that provide support, information and resources to affected individuals and their families in communities across the country.

About Smile Design Gallery
Smile Design Gallery is a social enterprise that provides free dental care to people in need by employing the sales of art to administer free dentistry for children and communities throughout the Tri-State area. With a wealth of celebrity support from the likes of Swizz Beatz, Angela Simmons and more, Smile Design Gallery has provided free dentistry for over 500 uninsured people since its inception in the spring of 2013.

Contact:
ALLIE GEBHARDT
[email protected]
410-423-0643

SOURCE Foundation Fighting Blindness