A Healthy Contribution to the Free Clinic

“S aludarte!” is . . .

A: A Spanish word meaning “to your health.”

B: A Spanish word meaning “to art.”

C: An art festival Saturday in Silver Lake to benefit the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic.

D: All of the above.

The correct answer is D.

According to clinic development director Felix Racelis, the play on words in the Spanish expression made it particularly appropriate for the fund-raiser.

“It’s in a way using art to celebrate health and the idea of art,” he said.

The clinic’s goal is to provide “access to health care for everybody,” Racelis said.

He estimates that there are 500,000 people in the neighborhoods served by the clinic, about 70% of which are uninsured. There were 30,000 client visits last year, with clients coming from as far away as Pico-Union and downtown.

“Volunteers provide about 50% of all the services,” said Racelis, and the clinic has funding from several government grants and contracts.

But government funds do not cover all clinic services, such as some education projects, and “monies from government sources are not guaranteed forever, so we constantly fund-raise,” Racelis said. “It’s a constant, never-ending search for funds.”

In response, the local arts community has come together to help.

Artists have promised to give a percentage of what they sell to the clinic and, “instead of asking an entrance fee, we’ve asked them to donate one piece fully to the clinic,” to be sold during a silent auction. “Everything that sells will benefit the clinic.”

Musicians and dancers will perform at the festival at Micheltorena Street Elementary School, 1511 Micheltorena St. Hours are noon to dusk, and a donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is requested.