Friends of Lake ADAMHS welcomed more than 300 guests to its recent annual Celebrity Art Auction at the Banquet Center at St. Noel in Willoughby Hills, making it one of the organization’s highest-grossing fundraising events.
The annual event featured original works created and donated by 16 local celebrity artists, with proceeds supporting local behavioral health awareness and community initiatives.
Guests also enjoyed silent and chance auctions, fellowship, and opportunities to learn more about local mental health and recovery resources.
“The overwhelming support shown by our community demonstrates that mental health and recovery matter to the people of Lake County,” said Lake County ADAMHS Board Executive Director Kim Fraser.
“Every artist, sponsor, volunteer, and attendee played an important role in making this one of the most successful Celebrity Art Auctions we’ve ever hosted.”
The evening’s highest-selling artwork, the Friendship Bench, created by Pam Martin and Christine Price, sold for more than $5,000 during the live auction. Fraser added that the handcrafted bench symbolizes the importance of listening, connection, and supporting one another.
Additionally, the auction showcased a diverse collection of artwork, including paintings, photography, handcrafted furniture, sculpture, woodworking, and mixed-media pieces created by community leaders, educators, and business professionals.
Friends of Lake ADAMHS also recognized the support of presenting sponsors Griffin Technology Group, New Era Benefits Consulting, Kenco Electric Inc., The Stone Team, and Century 21 HomeStar.
Burges and Burges Strategists, Premier Behavioral Health Services, Rounders Lounge, Signature Commercial Real Estate and Verify Services provided additional sponsorship.
The 2026 celebrity artists represented a broad cross-section of Lake County’s business, nonprofit, education and civic communities, including:
• Sarah Bals – 440 Marketing Agency
• Melanie Blasko – Retired president and CEO of Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers
• Kalissa Cherkes – Student, Lake Erie College
• Ryan “Shug” Gilkerson – Ville City Branding
• Tricia Johnston – Leadership Lake County
• Ann Mahler – Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Pam Martin and Christine Price – Western Reserve Junior Service League
• Jennifer Pealer – Jennifer and Co. Full Lifestyle Salon & Spas
• Alaina Pontikos – Realtor, The Stone Team/Century 21 HomeStar
• Jennifer Sample – Lake Erie College, Cleveland Clinic and Signature Health board member
• Libbie Stansifer – Signature Health
• Lacy Talley – muralist, graphic designer
• Jeffrey Taylor – J. Scott Studios and Lake ADAMHS board member
• Janie Walland – artist, art teacher
• Greg West – senior vice president, Hanna Commercial Real Estate
Friends of Lake ADAMHS is a volunteer-based organization that raises awareness about mental health and recovery, supports community education efforts, and assists the Lake County ADAMHS Board in promoting behavioral health initiatives throughout the county.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.news-herald.com ’
