Cancer Culture’s Breast Fest Held In The Hamptons

Cancer Culture, a group of creative and dedicated patients and advocates, has a mission to sound the alarm about the growing public health concern that is breast cancer among women, men, non-binary, and genderqueer populations. Founded by Rachel Burns and Beth Fairchild, Cancer Culture produces transformative events for people living with breast cancer to share the impact of those experiences with the world. They also provide research grants for life-saving metastatic breast cancer research.

Cancer Culture evolved from another nonprofit, #Cancerland, which was founded by NY personality Champagne Joy — a colorful character on the New York scene and a tireless advocate for the more than 100 women and men who die every day from metastatic breast cancer — a disease that she would die from in 2017. After Champagne Joy’s passing, Fairchild and Burns wanted to continue her legacy. They rebranded as Cancer Culture, a nationally known advocacy group and fundraising organization for people with advanced breast cancer.

“We’re the island of misfit toys,” Fairchild said of Cancer Culture. “Cancer doesn’t discriminate. We are a place for all women, and some men, to land and feel safe.”

Among the weekend festivities was a private reception on Friday, July 12, at the Montauk Beach House featuring Legacy Prints by acclaimed photographer William Livingston, cocktails and light bites, and music by DJ Misbehaviour. Cancer Culture & Hamptons Breast Fest took place Saturday, July 13, at William Quigley’s ABNY Gallery in East Hampton and included a gallery showing and auction with portrait photography by the world-renowned Janette Beckman, as well as a collective of custom works by celebrated artists and breast cancer survivors, painted over portraits captured by William Livingston. All portraits featured breast cancer patients, survivors, and thrivers.

Quigley contributed a piece to the exhibit alongside artists Beth Fairchild, Blanka Amezuka, Ginny Shudlick, Janette Beckman, Kris Mohfanz, Marc Chiat, Marianne Duquette Cuozzo, Meghan Lamb, Peter Spacek, Quentin Curry, Ramona Robinson, Sami Taglieri, Sandra Courtore, Sandy Cohen, Saskia Jorda, Scott Szegeski, Sharna Sshh Liguz, Tom Backer, and Livingston.

Said Fairchild, “Hamptons Breast Fest showcases what Cancer Culture does best: using art to highlight the faces and stories of breast cancer patients, all for the greater goal of building a local Hamptons community of survivors and thrivers and raising money to continue our efforts.”

Burns added, “Hamptons Breast Fest features a mashup of breast cancer patients, world renowned artists and fashion week photography. As artists and survivors, Beth and I understand how the arts play a transformational role in healing. Art heals and empowers not only through artistic expression but lends perspective and serves as a reflection for and of the patient.”