Dan's Papers - July 11, 2008

What do you think of when you hear the word "hospice?" I'm assuming it doesn't evoke images of white daisies, artists, cigar boxes, cocktails or schoolchildren on the playground, but perhaps it should, because this Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the Ross School Lower Campus in Bridgehampton hosts the eighth annual Box Art Auction, a benefit for East End Hospice. And this event, one among many other arts-related benefits that reach out to "not-so-chic-and-pretty" organizations is a great engine helping to bring East End artists, benefactors and the greater community together - with stronger participation and donation figures than ever before.

Just last month The Retreat held its 13th annual summer gala, Artists Against Abuse, also at the Ross School, for victims of domestic violence. This year's honorary chair was actress Lorraine Bracco, and Hope Award honorees included Allstate Insurance Company, Bridgehampton National Bank, and Rob Davis, founder of Hedge Funds Care. At this event, specially commissioned, hand-painted plates by East End artists were auctioned off, and to date, this benefit has raised over $1 million for the organization. Or how about ArtHamptons this weekend, July 11-13? This event will present over $100 million worth of art from the late 19, 20 and 21st centuries, from over 55 nationally renowned galleries, and donate proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Let's not forget Russell Simmons' Art for Life benefit coming up July 19 at his estate, which is in its ninth year with Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation and benefits the creative energy of New York City youth. Every year a sold-out audience of more than 750 leaders in the entertainment, arts and business communities attend this event. It seems like behind every great artist is some fantastic not-for-profit organization or committee of Energizer bunnies beating the drum for peace and happiness on the East End.

But there's nothing glamorous about hospice care - many people are even hesitant to utter the very word, but if you ask anyone who's had to endure a loved one in that type of care, they will rave about what it provides for the community. One woman even relayed to me that when her father, who suffered from stomach cancer, began to bleed involuntarily, the people at the hospice center provided him with black towels to ease the mental pain. For the eighth annual Box Art Auction, more than 100 well-known artists accepted the challenge to create art from a simple cigar box. Among those who have created a box this year are Eric Fischl, April Gornik, Stan Goldberg and many more talented artists. The honorary committee includes April Gornik, Eric Fischl, Edward Albee, Sheldon Harnick and Alec Baldwin.

Arlene Bujese, who chairs the honorary committee and has lived in East Hampton since 1980 (she's the former owner of Arlene Bujese Gallery on Newtown Lane), made a cigar box the first year, and has sat on the committee ever since. Her interest in hospice goes back to her days in college, when she studied gerontology and death and dying. "As time has gone on, more and more friends have had to call hospice, and at a time when that type of care was just emerging on the East End, I was inspired and had such respect for how they treat people," Bujese said. But all this wouldn't be possible if it weren't for David and Marion Porter. The late David was an artist and his wife, Marion, currently 97 years old, had had an eye for advertising and came up with the idea for people to paint cigar boxes. As any good team does, David set it in motion. And here we are, eight years later.

"It dignifies the end of life. There's a generosity of spirit there, and not too many years ago, doctors were in denial about its practices. We fought to make it a necessity. At the end of the day, it's crucial that we give back," Bujese added. But going back to those thought-provoking images of children on the playground during recess, that's just what your mind should conjure up. This year is the first time that they asked a group of Ross School students to make a box together, and the students made a "World Treasures" box, which is being raffled off - ticket sales are already up to $900, and proceeds will go to Camp Good Grief, a bereavement camp to help children who have lost a loved one.

This past Wednesday, a selection of box art was previewed at the Children's Museum of the East End. "We want the children to learn about us and what we're all about," said Bujese. "I am too involved for fluff. It's about artists, it's about education, it's about life."

Admission to the event is $60. The silent auction begins at 4:30 p.m. and is followed by a live auction at 6:30 p.m. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served. All proceeds benefit East End Hospice, a New York-certified hospice, which provides care for terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones through an interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals and volunteers.