Box Art Auction Benefits East End Hospice

Fifteen years ago, supporters of the East End Hospice asked 100 well-known and local artists to each turn a small, unadorned box into a unique work of art. Those boxes were then put up for auction to benefit the East End Hospice, establishing a tradition that continues to this day.

The 15th annual Box Art Auction to benefit the East End Hospice will take place on Saturday, September 12 at the Ross School. Beginning with a silent auction at 4:30 p.m., the evening will continue with a live auction at 5:45 p.m.

Leif Hope, artist, organizer of the East Hampton Artists & Writers Charity Softball Game and founder of the original East Hampton Laundry Restaurant, will receive The Spirit of Community Award at the Auction for his many contributions to the betterment of life in East Hampton for over 50 years.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Hospice, which provides care for terminally ill patients, their families and loved ones living on the North and South forks of Long Island. This year’s Box Art Auction coincides with the anticipated completion of the Hospice’s long-dreamed of inpatient facility. When the Kanas Center for Hospice Care opens its doors in Quiogue this fall, hospice patients who cannot be cared for at home will have the option of moving to a homelike environment where compassionate care will ensure their comfort
and dignity.

“East End Hospice is one of the most loving organizations when the light dims near the end of living,” says participating artist Hans Van de Bovenkamp. “To help through donating, such as artists do with their work, or through volunteering, is one of the most profound and satisfying acts.”

Benefit Chair Arlene Bujese says over 80 prominent artists will participate in this year’s Box Art Auction, including Van de Bovenkamp, as well as Connie Fox, April Gornik, Christa Maiwald, Fulvio Massi, Randall Rosenthal, Michelle Stuart and Frank Wimberley. Each of these artists has been given a small cigar box or wine box to transform into a piece of art.

“Each year it is an honor to make a work for the Hospice Box Art Auction,” says participating artist Margaret Kerr Richenburg. “East End Hospice profoundly influenced my late husband’s last weeks as well as my time, and our family’s time, with him. Along with the sometimes overwhelmingly painful periods of grief, if you believe that dying is a natural and normal portion of living, it is a time when families can be free to celebrate their love and appreciation for each other. Hospice is a freeing agent. This community is lucky to have East End Hospice in its midst.”

“Every time I paint a box I know the money raised at the auction will benefit a great service for many families,” adds artist Daniel Pollera.

Leading up to the benefit, a preview will be held at St. Luke’s Church in East Hampton on September 2–3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Following Wednesday’s preview, the public is invited to attend a free “Meet the Artists” reception from 5–7 p.m. Photos of the boxes will be available upon request and can be viewed on the Hospice’s website, eeh.org.

“I feel honored to be a part of the Box Art Auction each year, to donate a box knowing that monies gathered from the sale will go to the East End Hospice, [which is] much in need of funds to carry on,” says artist Elaine Marinoff. “We may all need their services sometime and this is a lovely way to donate. Buy a box and be a part of the fun!”

Tickets to the 15th annual Box Art Auction are $75. For further information, to place an absentee bid or to receive an invitation, please call Theresa Murphy at the East End Hospice development office at 631-288-7080 or email tmurphy@eeh.org.