More than 500 friends and collectors gathered to view 118 original artworks displayed for sale by Fountain Gallery artists at the Fifth Annual Fountain Gallery Celebration of Life benefit on November 1, 2006, at Cipriani 42nd Street, which was also the scene of last year’s benefit. Volunteer Dorothy Krakauer and Gallery artist Deborah Standard served as co-curators for the event, and they selected a dazzling array of paintings, drawings, photographs and more to present to our guests. By evening’s end, nearly 50 pieces had been sold, with the majority of proceeds from artwork sales going to the artists. A record $220,000 was raised.
The Cipriani name appears frequently in newspaper columns and glossy magazines, for it is one of New York City’s most elegant venues, and the 65-foot high marble walls harken back to the days when the space housed a Bowery Savings Bank. Tiered buffet tables piled high with luscious delicacies, skilled waitstaff circulating with round after round of delectable treats, and several open bars, including a martini bar, ensured that all in attendance were content.
Artworks were displayed on easels arranged throughout the impressive main room, and artists remained close to their pieces to introduce themselves and answer guests’ questions. Some spirited discussions ensued, and the artists were able to step away long enough to socialize and sample the food and drink.
Fountain Gallery coordinating director Jason Bowman launched the evening’s formal program by introducing benefit founder Dario Gristina, Chairman & CEO of Genergy, who extended an official welcome to the gathering, followed by benefit co-founder Gerard V. Schumm, Vice President – Operations, Equity Office Properties. These gentlemen were instrumental in establishing the Celebration of Life benefit in 2002, and they have remained staunch supporters and art collectors, introducing Fountain Gallery to many other prominent members of the real estate and business communities.
The Honorable Rudolph W. Giuliani, the 107th Mayor of the City of New York, delivered the benefit’s keynote address last year but was unable to attend this year to present the first Esther Montanez Leadership Award, established in honor of the woman who was Rudy’s great friend and also a tireless advocate for people with mental illness at Fountain House and Fountain Gallery until her death last May. Mayor Giuliani sent a heartfelt video tribute to Esther Montanez and in it he congratulated the first two recipients of the Esther Montanez Leadership Award: Peter L. DiCapua, Chief Operating Officer, Atco Properties & Management, Inc., and Andrew Stenzler, Founder, Kidville, LLC. Esther’s presence was also strongly felt in a video presentation about Fountain Gallery, featuring photos of her along with artwork images and remembrances by Gallery artists.
It has become a tradition for a member artist to address the benefit gathering, and this year’s speaker was Deborah Standard, who movingly described her experience with Fountain House and Fountain Gallery. She returned again and again to the statement, “There is no me…without you”, driving home the importance of supporting work by gifted artists living and working with mental illness.
After the formal program, there was still time for guests to make another tour of the art and to greet friends old and new. The culmination of a year’s planning, the Fifth Annual Celebration of Life was indeed a success. Many thanks to artists, volunteers and staff, and to the “angels” who have so loyally supported us, for making this a truly magical evening.
The Celebration of Life artists are: Leonard Aschenbrand, Anthony Ballard, Mark Boritz, Maria Gomez Bronkema, Timothy Bronkema, Tony Cece, Martin Cohen, Michelle Cohen, Carleton Cordier, Kathryn Fazio, Tony Felicito, Bonnie Fisher, Nelia Gibbs, Jonathan Glass, Justine Hall, Leslie Harwood, Bruce Hogenauer, Rita Iashaieva, Mercedes Kelly, Dick Lubinsky, Leora Miller, Glenn Moosnick, Yoriko Morton, Anthony Newton, Eloise Ockert, Ron Rice, Ivy Riekstins, Susan Robinson, Randee Savage, Barry Senft, and Gail Shamchenko. (As benefit co-curator, artist Deborah Standard did not to submit work for this event.)
