Giving Haitian Students Room To Soar

The third annual Hamptons Artists for Haiti Benefit Bash will take place on Saturday, June 22, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the East Hampton Airport. The event benefits Wings Over Haiti, a non-profit organization that builds schools for children and is “committed to improving the lives of destitute children and their families in Haiti.” Guests will walk amid open walls in a unique setting with an art show and silent auction curated by Folioeast, music by DJ Giancarlo, raffle prizes, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres. Indy caught up with committee member and head of Folioeast, Coco Myers.

Tell me about the event’s beginnings.

Jonathan Nash Glynn, founder of Wings Over Haiti, and I are friends. A few years ago, we talked about doing a benefit for Haiti, where he’s already built a school and wanted to build another. Since I represent local artists, I thought why not make it a party with a silent art auction? Hamptons Artists for Haiti seemed natural.

Have you seen the event grow over the years?

Yes. In fact, this year we moved the event to the East Hampton Airport, which gives us more space for the event. Plus, the association with flying made it an ideal setting.

There are more than 60 artists participating. How do you find them?

I represent and exhibit East End artists. I reached out to them and many of them are participating for the third year. But there are also many who heard about the event and approached me. It’s great to have new artists in the mix. This year, I am also showing several pieces by students from the local high schools.

As a curator, how does the process differ, if at all, when curating a gallery versus a gala/event?

The scope is much larger, so I tend to allow more variety in style and size. Also, artists often like to suggest what they are putting in since they are donating 75 to 100 percent of the sale to the foundation. I like to respect their choice of submission.

Is there a theme?

Because of the size of the exhibit, I don’t try for a theme, except that all the artists love and work on the East End at least part of the year. When I curate a gallery show, I am much more concerned with the visual flow. With a silent auction of 60-plus works, I am more interested in making sure there is a range of prices and types of artwork. There will be painting, photography, drawing, small sculptures, ceramics, and more.

East Hampton Airport is located at 200 Daniels Road in Wainscott. To buy tickets and learn more, visit www.wingsoverhaiti.net.

nicole@indyeastend.com