LongHouse Reserve Summer Benefit Beautopia Honored Sean Scully & Bruce Horten

Artist Sean Scully and philanthropist Dr. Bruce Horten were honored at LongHouse Reserve’s annual Summer Benefit, Beautopia. More than 300 guests gathered to celebrate and support the institution’s mission of celebrating nature and living with art in all forms. The evening raised vital funds for LongHouse’s educational and public programs, the stewardship of its gardens and world-class sculpture collection, and the preservation of founder Jack Lenor Larsen’s iconic home.

Art historian Joachim Pissarro presented the award to Scully. “I’m very inspired by nature”, said Scully.  “It’s a very similar story to Picasso and Matisse, who started out in dirty old Paris, toughing it out, and when they became successful they moved to the South of France. What I’ve done is move out here.”

LongHouse President Louis Bradbury said, “Bruce is a multifaceted gentleman, who spent his professional career as a medical pathologist creating and leading a laboratory dedicated to the analysis of cancerous tissues and developing effective treatments, saving many many lives. He and his late partner Aaron Lieber were consummate art collectors who surrounded their lives with art and music. Bruce generously supports many cultural organizations to make art and music available to everyone.”

“In my first 3 months at LongHouse, I’ve been welcomed with open arms by the dedicated staff and docents, amazing Trustees, all the wonderful artists that make LongHouse burst with creativity… and all of you… everyone who loves LongHouse”, shared new Executive Director Lara Sweeney. “I’ve gotten to know the 16 acres of gardens that we steward. More than one million daffodil buds greeted me in the spring, and I’ve learned that we are home to one of the largest stands of Redwoods on the East Coast. I’ve met dozens of students who visit us free of charge throughout the year as part of our school visit program. We know that children who spend time in nature, and engage in art making are more likely to thrive. I’ve learned that for some, we are a place of healing. I met a veteran during my first days here, who shared that his visits to LongHouse have helped make living with PTSD a little more bearable. I’ve seen what it means firsthand to support and uplift artists. Thank you to all the wonderful artists in this tent tonight, especially those who contributed to our art auction! You enrich LongHouse and our greater community in countless ways. Most of all, I’ve learned that LongHouse is more than an arts center, more than a garden, we are a place where people find connection, where kids learn and thrive…and for so many, it is a place that feels like magic.”

Gala Co-Chairs, Raisa Lopez-Rhoden and Gael Towey, created the magical Beautopia landscape with bright colorful decor, flowing spirits, and delicious local food. “For me, LongHouse is deeply personal”, said Lopez-Rhoden. “Five years ago, my husband and I were married right here on this lawn, so it will always hold a very meaningful place in my heart. The beauty surrounding us tonight didn’t happen by chance. It exists because of a community of gardeners, staff, volunteers, trustees, artists, and friends who believe places like LongHouse matter and choose to invest their talent, and generosity to help it thrive.”

Guests included Board Members Patrick Amato, Emma Clurman, Christopher Coy, Sherri Donghia, Anne Erni, David Fink, Dr. Derick T. George, Michael Jones, Deborah Nevins, Suzanne Slesin, Peter H. Olsen, and Linda Willett, as well as Peter Bickford and Greg McCarthy, Mary Jane and Charles Brock, Michele and Marty Cohen, Renée Cox, Tom D’Agostino Jr., Laurie Lambrecht, Jada Loveless, Faith Popcorn, Bastienne Schmidt, Lee Skolnick, and Edwina Von Gal.

The annual art auction, spearheaded by Dianne Benson, included works by John Alexander, Daniel Arsham, Ross Bleckner, Scott Bluedorn, Mary Boochever, Stephanie Brody-Lederman, Parker Calvert, Philippe Cheng, Liz Collins, Andrea Cote, Renée Cox, David Kennedy Cutler, Barbara Dayton, Peter Dayton, Michael De Feo, Christopher Robin Duncan, Sandi Haber Fifield, Robin Gianis, Nina Gillman, Jim Gingerich, Alastair James Gordon, Philip Guston, Melinda Hackett, John Haubrich, Alice Hope, Nicholas Howey, Fitzhugh Karol, Elizabeth Karsch, Alex Katz, Nishan Kazazian, Donghwan Kim, Gaston Lachaise, Laurie Lambrecht, Esther Mahlangu, Christa Maiwald, Mica Marder, Mark Mennin, Steve Miller, J. Oscar Molina, Jill Moser, Robert Motherwell, Eileen O’Kane Kornreich, Jill Platner, Dalton Portella, Gabriele Raacke, Marko Remec, Cheryl R. Riley, Ugo Rondinone, Alexander Russi, Adrian Schachter, Kenny Schachter, Bastienne Schmidt, Sean Scully, Bruce M. Sherman, Drew Shiflett, Jonathan Shlafer, Janice Stanton, Clintel Steed, Hiroko Takeda, Bill Tansey, Aurelio Torres, William Tucker, Vadis Turner, Claire Watson, Ai Weiwei, Jeff Lion Weinstock, Deborah Willis, Mark William Wilson, Lucy Winton, Susan Wood, Jason Bard Yarmosky, Jack Youngerman, and Almond Zigmund.