San Diego CA— St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center (SMSC), a nonprofit organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, partnered with The Marine Room to host the annual Tea by the Sea celebration on Saturday, January 18, 2020. The event raised $15,000 to fund SMSC’s Sophie’s Gallery and its new gallery location in El Cajon.

Tea by the Sea guests enjoyed complimentary champagne, a signature cocktail, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, live music by Fred Benedetti, and up-close views of the La Jolla tide. This year, Barbara Menard and Maureen King served as Honorary Co-Chairs.
This year’s featured artist was Deseray Lee. Deseray is a talented artist who enjoys the art classes offered through Sophie’s Gallery. She specializes in wearable art such as jewelry, but also excels in sculpture through ceramics and mosaics. Her work has been featured in numerous shows and takes pride in her artwork hanging in others’ homes or when she sees people wearing jewelry she had made. Deseray always greets visitors and customers to
Sophie’s Gallery with her warm personality and shares with them what she is making, how creating and selling her artwork gives her confidence, and expresses to others the benefits that Sophie’s Gallery brings to its artists.
St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center is a nonprofit organization that serves more than 400 adults with developmental disabilities through nationally recognized, innovative programs. Its mission is to educate and empower individuals with developmental disabilities to realize their full potential. Developmental disabilities include autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other cognitive disorders for which there are no cures.