“Hamptons Artists For Haiti,” A Benefit For Wings Over Haiti, Raises Funds For A New School In Ranquitte

Hamptons Artists for Haiti, a benefit for Wings Over Haiti, returned to the Hamptons on Saturday, June 30.

Proceeds will support a new school Wings Over Haiti will construct in Ranquitte. (Photo: Sydney Braat)

Over 40 artists’ work was auctioned off to raise money for a new school in Ranquitte which will serve 160 students from pre-K through 12th grade. Guests enjoyed drinks, hors d’oeuvres from Sea Bean, live music by Solar Wind featuring Dee Green, Rick Salter and Matt Ellison, raffles and more. The benefit was held at the beautiful grounds of The Watermill Center in Water Mill.

The non-profit organization was founded by Jonathan Nash Glynn, a Sag Harbor artist and pilot, who transported medical supplies to Haiti in his private plane following the 2010 earthquake there. Glynn witnessed the devastation firsthand in Haiti and realized in addition to supplies, the country was in desperate need of educational opportunities. This sparked his interest in starting Wings Over Haiti.

“I started Wings Over Haiti after the earthquake because of my shock and dismay by the plight of so many injured Haitian people and especially the children,” Glynn reflected.

The fundraiser not only raised money for a school, but also provides two meals a day and medical attention. Shocking statistics lined the walls of the venue, including “$20 = lunch for 10 kids for a month,” “$150 = school tuition for a year,” and “$175 = monthly salary for one teacher.”

Over 40 artists’ work was auctioned off during the benefit. (Photo: Sydney Braat)

2018 participating artists included Shari Abramson, Roisin Bateman, Beth O’Donnell, Deborah Buck, Hans Van de Bovenkamp, Susan Carlo, Philippe Cheng, George Cortez, Jennifer Cross, Michele D’ermo, Mike Drury, Adriana Echavarria, Scott Farrell, Sandi Haber Fifield, Francine Fleischer, Denise Gale, Jonathan Glynn, Donna Green, Melinda Hackett, RJT Haynes, Michael Hastalis, John Haubrich, Sue Heatley, Janet Jennings, Nishan Kazazian, Sarah Jaffe Turnbull, Dennis Leri, Jaime Lopez, Christa Maiwald, Christine Matthäi, Michael McDowell, Lesley Obrock, Beth O’Donnell, William Pagano, Anne Raymond, Ed Ruscha, Michael Ruggerio, Holli Rafkin-Sax, Will Ryan, Jerry Schwabe, Franecsca Schwartz, Carl Scorza, Leslie Sokolow, Barbara Thomas, Aurelio Torres, Walter Us, Matt Vega, Claire Watson, Amy Wickersham, John Wickersham, Mark Webber, and Larry Wolhandler.

For more information, visit wingsoverhaiti.net.