What better way to close out the benefit season than the annual Box Art Auction, a fund-raiser for East End Hospice. It will happen on Aug. 22 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in Hoie Hall at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Hampton.
This event debuted 26 years ago, when over 100 artists with connections to the East End were given small, unadorned cigar boxes and asked to create unique works of art that could be put up at auction.
Arlene Bujese, who has curated the art since the benefit's second year, reports that some 70 professional artists have once again answered the call to contribute their time and creativity.
"It's such a fun event for such a meaningful cause, and an opportunity to go home with wonderful, affordable, portable art," said Gabrielle Bamberger and Joyce Tuttle, this year's benefit co-chairwomen.
Among the participating artists are 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, and Dan Welden.
The event's annual Spirit of Community Award will be presented to Jeremy Dennis, a fine-art photographer and founder of the nonprofit Ma's House & BIPOC Art Studio on the Shinnecock Reservation, for his efforts to uplift the members of the studio and the Nation.
Susan Kennedy Zeller, a longtime supporter and buyer of box art, has donated a collection of her boxes to East End Hospice. This year's event will include a table featuring boxes from her collection by seven prominent artists, now deceased, who contributed to the Box Art Auction over the years. They are Jane Freilicher, James Gemake, William (Bill) King, Robert Markell, Daniel Pollera, Karl Vermandois, and Frank Wimberley. Their boxes will be available for viewing and bidding in a separate silent auction.
Prior to the Aug. 22 event, the boxes can be previewed at Hoie Hall on Wednesday and next Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A meet-the-artists reception will take place Wednesday from 5 to 7.
Tickets to the benefit, including wine and hors d'oeuvres, are $100.
Last year, East End Hospice served 800 terminally ill patients and their families living on the North and South Forks, including the Town of Brookhaven. The auction benefits residents of the Town of East Hampton's communities.
More information and tickets are available via email to [email protected] or by calling 631-288-7080.
