Gallery Director Ariel Willmott, Honorees Lawrence Benenson
and Phong Bui, as well as Frank Maresca of Ricco/Maresca Gallery.
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House
The theme of the evening was "Starry Night," a tip of the hat to the iconic Vincent van Gogh masterpiece The Starry Night, which is a fixture of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. Among the varied works made for the art auction were a number of interpretations of the Van Gogh original, as seen through the eyes of the artists of Fountain House Gallery.
All Gallery artists are members of Fountain House, the leading community-based center for mental health recovery and the model for more than 300 programs throughout the United States and around the world.
Van Gogh's "The Starry Night" inspired the event theme.
Image public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
One noteworthy Fountain House member (and prolific Gallery artist) is Jonathan Glass, who took to the podium to address the assembled guests. He spoke movingly of the transformative influence of Fountain House and the Gallery on his way of living, particularly in "providing the structure that has made me a better artist." Jon wove into his personal account elements of Van Gogh's life and art, referencing not only the visionary Post-Impressionist's genius but also his struggle with mental illness.
The scene at Metropolitan West. More than
400 attendees turned out to support Fountain House Gallery.
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
Ariel Willmott, Director of Fountain House Gallery, shared some splendid news with the gathering: The artists' long-held dream of having a studio in which to create and collaborate has become a reality. The ink is dry on the lease for a commodious Long Island City space, soon to be abuzz with artistic activity.
Among the Event Chairs were Francis Greenburger and Carmel Fromson, here with Fountain House President Kenn Dudek and Rebecca Hoffberger, Founding Director of the American Visionary Art Museum and member of Fountain House Gallery's Art Advisory Council. Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
Francis believes that "creativity is a core value that transcends cultural and cognitive challenges and unites humanity in a common impulse of expression." It's no wonder that he's a booster of Fountain House Gallery, and of Fountain House's groundbreaking programs in areas such as employment, education, and wellness.
Gallery artist Jonathan Glass with his "jazz drawings."
Jon shared his personal story with the assembled guests.
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
This year's recipients of the Esther Montanez Leadership Award were Lawrence Benenson and Phong Bui. The Award, established in memory of Fountain House Gallery's founding director, honors individuals for outstanding support of the Gallery and its artists - and these two honorees have delivered mightily on that score. Their most recent service: Lawrence and Phong, gentlemen of art and goodwill, curated the Mad About Art auction exhibition. The Award was presented by Frank Maresca of the prestigious Ricco/Maresca Gallery. Frank is a past Fountain House Gallery honoree and an invaluable member of its Art Advisory Board.
Sold!
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
Honoree Lawrence Benenson has a charmingly witty presence and regaled the audience with quips and aphorisms. With great sincerity, he lauded Fountain House as "a shining example of grassroots community building." I was fortunate to view Lawrence's prodigious personal art collection last fall, and the impact of the myriad works was profoundly amplified by his informed and droll commentary. Lawrence, a Partner of Benenson Capital Partners, serves on the Boards of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the American Folk Art Museum, and contributes to the community through participation in a host of other organizations. His motto: "People who have more should help people who have less." Amen.
Exhibition Catalogue. Cover art: Gallery artist Alyson Vega's
"New York Starry Night," inspired by the Van Gogh original.
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
Honoree Phong Bui spoke of his journey to a greater understanding of the intersection between art and mental health, and of the importance of taking action on this realization. "Action" could be the middle name of the irrepressible Phong, an artist, writer, and independent curator who serves on the Fountain House Gallery Art Advisory Council. He is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the cutting-edge monthly The Brooklyn Rail, which offers critical perspectives on the arts, politics, and culture. Phong elicited hearty laughter from the crowd as he closed his remarks with a memorable one-liner: "An artist who has not had a nervous breakdown cannot be trusted!"
The author with Honorees Phong Bui and Lawrence Benenson.
Photo: Leslie Barbaro Photography/Fountain House.
This year's magical Mad About Art is now in the rearview mirror, but there's no need to wait until next year's event to get a fix of Fountain House Gallery art. The Gallery hosts six exhibitions per year at 702 Ninth Avenue, its home base since 2000. There's still time to head over to a Gallery show that has become an annual favorite with collectors and holiday shoppers: "Small Works: $100 & Under," on view through December 22. Go. See. Enjoy.
With Camille Tibaldeo.
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The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation (www.lucefoundation.org) supporting young global leadership is affiliated with Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW), raising global citizens. If supporting youth is important to you, subscribe to J. Luce Foundation updates here.