The annual Box Art Auction benefiting East End Hospice will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Aug. 23 in Hoie Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, East Hampton.
The fund-raiser, one of the last of the summer, began 25 years ago, when over 100 artists with connections to East End communities were asked to take a small unadorned box and create a unique work of art that could be put up for auction.
Arlene Bujese, the benefit’s chairwoman and curator since its second year, reports that some 80 professional artists have answered the call this year to contribute their time and creativity. “It’s such a meaningful cause, a fun event, and an opportunity to go home with wonderful, affordable, portable art,” she said.
Among the participating artists are many who have taken part since the event’s inception and others who are participating for the first time. They include Monica Banks, Darlene Charneco, Marilyn Church, Eric Dever, Durell Godfrey, Leif Hope, Carol Hunt, Dennis Leri, Christa Maiwald, Fulvio Massi, Paton Miller, Roy Nicholson, Gabriele Raacke, Dan Rizzie, Randall Rosenthal, Hans Van de Bovenkamp, and Dan Welden.
The 2025 Spirit of Community Award will be presented at the benefit to Dr. Julie Ratner, founder and president of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Prior to the benefit, the boxes can be previewed at Hoie Hall on Wednesday and next Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free reception with the artists will happen on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. Boxes can also be seen in advance on the hospice’s website, eeh.org.
At the benefit on Aug. 23, the silent auction will begin at 4:30 with the live auction following at 6. Lucas Hunt is returning as the auctioneer. The $100 ticket price includes wine and hors d’oeuvres.
All proceeds will benefit East End Hospice, which remains the only independent nonprofit provider of hospice care in the region, serving terminally ill patients, their families, and loved ones living on the North and South Forks of Long Island, including eastern Brookhaven.
Further information, or to place an absentee bid or receive an invitation, is available from Angelo Pegno of the hospice’s development office, 631-288-7080, or via email to [email protected].
