Over 75 Artists Donating Works To Annual Box Art Auction Benefiting East End Hospice

The 16th Annual Box Art Auction will take place on Saturday, August 27th at Hoie Hall at St. Luke’s Church in East Hampton. Prior to the event, more than 75 well-known artists will take a small, unadorned box and create a one-of-a-kind piece that will be auctioned off in support of East End Hospice (EEH).

“EEH 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 thru donating, such as artists do with their work, or through volunteering, is one of the most profound and satisfying acts.”

Before the Auction, guests will have the chance to preview the boxes at Hoie Hall on Wednesday, August 24th and Thursday, August 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to “Meet the Artists” during the free preview reception at Hoie Hall on Wednesday, August 24th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

At the benefit on August 27th, there will be a Silent Auction at 4:30 p.m. and a Live Auction at 5:45 p.m. with Lucas Hunt as the Auctioneer. Delicious wine and hors d’oeuvres are included with the $75 benefit ticket. A small sculpture by the late artist Bill King has been donated and will be auctioned as an art box in King’s memory.

This year’s Box Art Auction coincides with the recent opening of the Hospice’s long-dreamed of Inpatient Facility. With the doors of the Kanas Center for Hospice Care now open in Quiogue, hospice patients who cannot be cared for at home will have the option of spending their final days in a homelike environment where compassionate care will ensure their comfort and dignity.

Box painted by Dan Rizzie for the Box Art Auction. (Courtesy Photo)

The 2016 benefit will honor Susan Kennedy Zeller, who serves as Associate Curator of Native American Art at the Brooklyn Museum, with the Spirit of Community Award. She is also a stalwart and generous supporter of East End Hospice and the East Hampton community.

Nearly 80 distinguished artists have committed to participating in this event including Eric Ernst, Carol Hunt, Christa Maiwald, Fulvio Massi, Gabriele Raacke, Dan Rizzie, Randall Rosenthal, Hans van de Bovenkamp, Dan Welden, and Frank Wimberley.

The 2016 benefit’s Honorary Committee includes Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Baldwin, Gregory Black, The Rev. Denis Brunelle, Michael Cinque, Theodore Conklin, April Gornik, Margery and Sheldon Harnick, Dina Merrill Hartley and Ted Hartley, Charles Hitchcock, Barbara Layton, Debra McEneaney, Hon. Paul F. Rickenbach, Jr., Cantor/Rabbi Debra Stein, Sandra Wagenfeld and David Wilt.

A preview of the 2016 completed Art Boxes can be viewed at www.eeh.org.

St. Luke’s Church is located at 18 James Lane in East Hampton. For further information, or to place an absentee bid, contact Theresa Murphy at the East End Hospice development office at 631-288-7080 or via email tmurphy@eeh.org.