Next Thursday November 7, the eighth biennial ARTDOCS Benefit Art Auction takes place at the Art Klub — the old Schoen funeral home on Elysian Fields Avenue that local artist James Michalopoulos has converted into multi-purpose art space. Founded in 1999 by artist and gallery owner Jonathan Ferrara and physician Vincent Morelli, ARTDOCS (an acronym for Artists Receiving Treatment Doctors Offering Crucial Services) has sought to provide writers and visual and performing artists without or unable to afford health insurance access to both both routine and emergency healthcare.

Crying Houses by Krista Jurisich will be up for auction at ARTDOCS Benefit Art Auction on November 7.

Since its inception, ARTDOCS’ model has provided the framework for many similar organizations around the country. In 2008, the foundation expanded to include a Nashville affiliate. In 2011, the local branch extended its options to cover dental services. All told, ARTDOCS has covered more than 3,000 visits for New Orleans artists over the course of 14 years. In that time, nearly the entirety of its funding has been generated through its Benefit Art Auctions. This year’s auction aims to raise more than $60,000.

Tickets to this year’s ARTDOCS Benefit Art Auction are $10 and will be available at the Art Klub, located at 519 Elysian Fields Ave. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on November 7, and the auction will commence at 7:30 p.m. and feature work from 29 New Orleans contemporary artists. More information is available at www.artdocs.com. Previews of the items to be auctioned off will be available online at www.jonathanferraragallery.com beginning on Saturday, November 2.