The time-honored tradition of the Box Art Auction benefiting East End Hospice, which was scheduled to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2020, but cancelled due to Covid-19, will take place as “20 in ‘21” on Saturday, August 28.
This annual highlight of late summer will again take place at St. Luke’s Church Hoie Hall in East Hampton at 18 James Lane.
“We’re back,” said Benefit Chair Arlene Bujese, who reports that among the 80+ artists who have answered the call to create memorable boxes for this anniversary auction are 10 artists who have participated every year since the event’s inception and others who are participating for the first time.
“We are so grateful that so many artists on the East End have once again contributed their time, talent, and singular creativity to produce these unique works of portable art for this most worthy cause,” she added.
This year’s artists include Marilyn Church, Leif Hope, Carol Hunt, Dennis Leri, Christa Maiwald, Fulvio Massi, Betsy Petrowski, Daniel Pollera, Gabriele Raacke, Hans van de Bovenkamp, Dan Welden, and Frank Wimberley. Artists are given small donated cigar and wine boxes — using the box inside and out as a canvas or base. With styles ranging from traditional landscapes to abstract art, the art forms incorporated this year are ceramics, sculpture, painting, collage, assemblage, and needlework on fabric.
Among highlights of this anniversary Auction is a raffle for a box that incorporates a sculpture by renowned artist William King, a participant in the Box Art Auction for many years.
The annual Spirit of Community Award will be presented to Donald Sussis, for 20 years a stalwart and generous supporter of the Box Art Auction and East End Hospice.
Leading up to the benefit the boxes can be previewed at Hoie Hall on Wednesday, August 25, and Thursday, August 26, from 10 AM to 4 PM. On Wednesday, August 25, from 5 to 7 PM, the public is invited to a “Meet the Artists” preview reception at Hoie Hall. Completed boxes can also be viewed on the Hospice website, www.eeh.org .
At the benefit on August 28, a silent auction will begin at 4:30 PM and the live auction will begin at 5:45, with Lucas Hunt as auctioneer. Wine and hors d’oeuvres are included in the $100 benefit ticket price.
All proceeds will benefit East End Hospice, which provides care for terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones living on the North and South Forks of Long Island, including the Eastern Suffolk County townships of Brookhaven. The Box Art Auction benefits residents within the town of East Hampton .
“This past year has brought about tremendous challenges for our community,” said Mary C. Crosby, President and CEO of East End Hospice. “East End Hospice cared for more than 700 patients and families — a record number — over the course of the pandemic. Programs such as the Box Art Auction help to ensure that every person facing loss, be it from Covid or otherwise, has the expert, compassionate care they need at no cost to themselves or their family.”