Design Art and Photography

New York—The World Gold Council (WGC) is asking A-list celebrities to design a gold jewelry item that will be auctioned off to charity.

The initiative, titled “Leaves of Change,” will culminate at a May 2009 gala event in Los Angeles featuring both a live and online auction.

Participating celebrities are being asked to design a gold pendant necklace incorporating a leaf motif. The WGC will find a suitable gold jewelry designer to make the pendant necklace, and the designer will actually create three versions: one to be gifted to the celebrity, one to be auctioned off and another that will travel on a tour to various cities in the top 10 jewelry markets. The impetus of the latter is to further raise awareness for multiple charities, as proceeds from the designs will benefit either the celebrity’s favorite charity or Jewelers for Children.

“Bringing together highly talented celebrities with renowned jewelry designers will create exciting and innovative gold designs,” WGC U.S. Managing Director John Calnon said in a media release. “The simultaneous benefit to multiple charities, especially in such difficult economic times, makes for a meaningful and lasting impact.”

The first confirmed celebrity participant is Debra Messing, executive producer and star of The Starter Wife. Messing will collaborate with jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris, and their pendant will benefit Messing’s preferred charity, Youth AIDS.

All celebrity leaf designs will eventually be accessible to the public on the site, LeavesOfChange.org.