Renowned photographer supports Varvatos charity with stunning works

LAS VEGAS, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The work of acclaimed nature photographer Peter Lik captivated onlookers ranging from movie stars to supermodels at the 10^th Annual John Varvatos Benefit for Stuart House in Los Angeles on Sunday, a star-studded event hosted by Oscar winner Ben Affleck and his wife, actress Jennifer Garner.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/LA77619-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130314/LA77619-b)

Lik donated the numbered-10 Artist Proof prints of two of his most celebrated cityscapes — both "The Sentinel" and "Vintage Road," valued in galleries at over $12,000 and $15,000 respectively — to the auction, which was expected to raise over $1 million for Stuart House, a charity to help children at risk.

This begins a busy month of charitable involvement for Peter Lik, with works featuring at Guy Laliberte's One Night for One Drop event on March 22 and his newest work, "Illusion," making its New York debut at the Rockefellers' Oceana Gala at Christie's on April 8.

The large-format photographs at the Varvatos benefit were a hit with a celebrity crowd that in addition to Affleck and Garner included Steven Tyler of Aerosmith — who performed several of his greatest hits on the central rock stage — David Schwimmer of Friends, fashionista Cindy Crawford, Eric McCormack of Will & Grace, SNL alum Kevin Nealon, TV hosts Jeff Probst and Ty Pennington, rockers Billy Idol and Alice Cooper, actors Jeremy Piven and Melina Kanakaredes, comedian Bill Bellamy, and actor Joe Manganiello of the True Blood, who revealed that he is a dedicated collector of Lik's work.

"I'm a huge Peter Lik fan," Manganiello shared at the event. "I own four of his photographs."

Included in Manganiello's collection are the pieces "Shine" and "Bella Luna," the latter featuring a huge full moon — which is appropriate for the actor, who plays a werewolf on the popular HBO series.

Fashion icon Varvatos closed down a stretch of Melrose Avenue in front of his flagship store for the event, which attracted over 1,800 guests at $250 per ticket to gain exclusive access to the auction, which included items ranging from Peter Lik's photographs to signed electric guitars to a round of golf with Samuel L. Jackson.

"Joyce and I are huge fans of Peter's art and have been admiring it for years," Varvatos said. "I am grateful to have his support in our efforts."

The Master Photographer has said that the store on Melrose is his favorite place to shop in Los Angeles: "This store is no bloody joke. I throw one of those jackets on and feel like a million bucks. Varvatos — love it!"

Some lots were part of a silent auction at the event, but items such as Lik's works that are expected to garner the highest bids are available for online bidding until March 21 at www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/johnvarvatos/catalog_items.

Mike Hill
Executive Vice President
LIK USA™
702-307-6393
[email protected]

SOURCE LIK USA