Dan's Papers - June 13, 2008 - What's on Your Plate?

"There is a direct and straightforward relationship between the artist and The Retreat. We can see with immediacy the results of our efforts. We can enjoy the appreciation for our gift......and the fact that the funds will ultimately help people who are in need," said artist Giancarlo Impiglia, of Bridgehampton. Impiglia, who's originally from Rome, Italy, is one of the 20-plus artists involved in The Retreat's 13th annual summer gala, "Artists Against Abuse," which will be held Saturday, June 21 at the Ross School in East Hampton. This year's honorary chair is actress Lorraine Bracco, and Hope Award honorees include Allstate Insurance Company, Bridgehampton National Bank, and Rob Davis, Founder, Hedge Funds Care. This signature event features a silent auction of specially commissioned hand painted plates by artists of many stripes, plus a live auction of select original works of art - all to benefit the Retreat, which provides safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse. To date, this benefit has raised over $1 million for the organization.

East Hampton artist Grant Haffner, who has contributed a plate, explained, "Art is transformative, healing, and meditative, which is what The Retreat is all about. The plates all possess a playful, sweet and joyful quality that will lighten the soul. And to top it off - the plates will look great in your home, on the wall or serving family dinner."

But why plates? Why not photographs, sculptures or paintings on canvas? With each artist limited to the same material and size, it's clear how diverse this group is - not only in technique, but in their inviting, aesthetic appeal. Not to mention subject matter, which features everything from horses to a little bulldog, and even an entirely black plate with a sliver fly on it.

As anyone can see by looking at the outrageously varied designs on the plates, each artist has a different voice and "take" on his or her role. John Battle, who made a "hot plate" so to speak, explained, "I work in mostly metals and I like the implied message my plate presents. Survivors have found their metal and moved on to a life free from violence. Each of us has a strong metal core, each of us can help make a difference."

Each of the artists involved is committed to bringing awareness to domestic abuse and many of them have found inspiration in helping others. Artist Dan Rizzie said he is involved with the Retreat because it's an organization that offers a real solution in a situation where there often seems to be no solution at all. Rizzie and his partner Susan Lazarus have also volunteered their certified therapy dog, Vex, to visit safe houses sponsored by the Retreat. "One needs only to look at the expression on a child's face when a person walks into a safe house with a pet. It's a treat to give something back to an organization that gives so much to our society," he said.

Artist Harriet Sawyer of North Haven commented, "I found myself wanting to give back to the community and my husband, Richard, found the Retreat. My continued participation enables me to do something personal for the community."

Other participating artists this year are: Wolf Kahn, April Gornik, Andrew Wyeth, Donald Sultan, Dan Christensen, Jimmy Ernst, Jane Johnson, Karen Kluglein, Mickey Paraskevas, Michael Veira, Jill Musnicki, Steven Romm, Stephanie Brody-Lederman, Tulla Booth, Lew Zacks, James McMullan, Howard Kanovitz, Peter Dayton, Ronnie Chalif, and Dallas Ernst. There's a special preview of the plates this Saturday, June 14, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hampton Road Gallery in Southampton. Gallery owner Peter Marcelle has become an integral part of "Artists Against Abuse," helping find donations for the auction and now hosting its first pre-party sale. It's abuzz that there might even be some special one-time-only additional pieces for art lovers that night. Also on auction at the summer gala are signed prints by Andrew Wyeth and Donald Sultan, an original, a limited edition April Gornik print, Bryan Hunt original watercolor, Ross Bleckner print, and originals by Rizzie, Jack Gerber Tom Judd, Kathleen Gilge, Jim Wilcox, Dan Christensen and Jimmy Ernst.

Founded in 1987 in East Hampton, The Retreat is a not-for-profit organization that provides both residential and non-residential services free of charge, including an 18-bed shelter, 24-hour crisis hotline, counseling, legal advocacy and an award winning in-school violence prevention education program. The Retreat is the only domestic violence agency on the East End, which is why the "Artists Against Abuse" gala is such an important event for the entire Hamptons community. For more information log on to www.theretreatinc.org or call 631-329-4398.