Hamptons Artists Come Together to Support Planned Parenthood’s East End Benefit on Sunday, May 25, 2014

[Debbie Rodriguez]

Hamptons Artists Come Together to Support Planned Parenthood’s East End Benefit on Sunday, May 25th

More than 30 leading East End artists and photographers are donating their time and/or works to benefit a cause they believe in – improving sexual and reproductive health – and support Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP).

The annual East End Benefit on Sun, May 25th includes a fabulous silent auction. The event, which runs from 5-7 pm at a private home in Water Mill, follows the theme “Celebrate Summer, Stronger Together. Freedom and Care. No Matter What.” Tickets are still available, and everyone is welcome to take part in the silent auction. Go to www.pphp.org to find the list of auction items and then call or email your bid to [phone] or [e-mail]. 

Photographer Michael Halsband, artist Rima Mardoyan-Smyth, and PPHP Board VP Ann Pogue-Campbell are co-chairing the event, and philanthropist Dorothy Lichtenstein is honorary chair. The event is hosted by Lisa & Stephen Eisenstein.

Mardoyan-Smyth noted that the Declaration of Independence talks about individuals having the right to the pursuit of happiness, but in this day and age they should also have the right to health care. “So many wonderful people are helping to make this event a success and support PPHP’s presence in the East End,” she said. “Together we can help PPHP continue to provide access to the care people need.”

The “Who’s Who” of artists includes Chuck Close, who donated a signed Polaroid self-portrait, and numerous other artists who have a strong following on the East End. Francine Fleischer specializes in portraits and landscapes for private and celebrity clients (and has photographed Sarah Jessica Parker); Maria Bowling is a Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist who specializes in botanical art; Steve Miller, an early pioneer in the Sci-Art movement, creates paintings, screenprints, artist books, and sculptures; and Almond Zigmund’s work has been exhibited internationally for the past decade, including shows in Zurich, Berlin, New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Columbus.  

There’s also photographer Laurie Lambrecht, a former assistant to Roy Lichtenstein; landscape designer Frederico Azevedo; Philippe Cheng, a fine art and commercial photographer, and his wife Bastienne Schmidt, a mixed media artist; and photographer/painter Dalton Portella, who is also a musician. The list goes on and on. 

The silent auction also includes golf packages, tickets to the ballet or the Hampton Classic Horse Show, an organic produce share, a boat tour of Peconic Bay, stand-up paddleboard lessons, jewelry, a chef tasting at Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton, a weekend at Harborwoods Guesthouse in Sag Harbor, massage sessions, and many other offerings. Go to www.pphp.org to find the list of silent auction items and then call or email your bid to [phone] or [e-mail].

 Tickets are $300 per person; $150 for anyone under age 35 and sponsorships are available.  To purchase tickets, contact [phone] or [e-mail].

Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc. (PPHP) is the 20th largest affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and operates 11 health centers in Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties.  In 2013, PPHP provided services to more than 34,000 patients in more than 68,000 visits. We conducted almost 1,700 education and training programs, reaching more than 29,000 youth and adults, and mobilized 15,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights. PPHP has served the community for 80 years. www.pphp.org.