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Art of Caring
Hospice Foundation Honors State Organizations with
Gift of Art
Benefit Also Raises Funds for Hospices in Sub-Saharan
Africa
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“Chasm” –
example of recent painting by Larry Dinkin -
Website
Click
photo for larger view |
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Oct. 6, 2004 - The National Hospice Foundation
honored hospices across the country with a gift of art at a special
event, the National Hospice Benefit, held in
Washington,
DC, on October 1. The expressive work of
painter Larry Dinkin was the focus of the evening which was a part of
the Art of Caring - a national initiative sponsored by NHF that is using
art to reach out and expand the public’s understandings of hospice care.
One of Dinkin’s works was donated to the first
operating hospice or state hospice organization in each of the fifty
states. A set of five original prints was donated to NHF in honor of
Zachary Morfogen, Founding Chair Emeritus of NHF, and his wife, Marilyn.
These works and fifty additional signed prints distributed to hospices
across the country were a gift of Martin and Estelle Karlin, and the
artist, Larry Dinkin.
New York born artist, Larry Dinkin, began as a
landscape painter, but has moved to abstract paintings and prints.
Dinkin’s work is found in museums across the nation and in the
collection at the White House.
In addition to the gift of art to hospices across
the country, a silent auction featuring a range of art objects from
Africa and the U.S.
was held at part of the evening’s festivities. More than $10,000 was
raised to support the work being done by the Foundation for Hospices in
Sub-Saharan Africa.
The handiwork of artisans from across southern
Africa, decorative masks from hospices in this country, and
photographs taken by artists from both continents were on display
throughout the evening. Many of these works were poignant reminders of
the global impact of HIV/AIDS.
“Art and Caring are themes that struck a chord with
me and I wanted to make a contribution that would use art to help
patients and make a difference to hospices throughout the
United States,” remarked Martin Karlin
at Friday evening’s event.
Making reference to the bold, colorful images in
Dinkin’s paintings, Karlin remarked that “the fifty hospices represented
here are themselves only representative of a vast and vibrant movement.”
More than 350 hospice supporters, health care
professionals, leaders in the field, and faces from Capitol Hill
gathered at Washington’s
Omni-Shoreham Hotel for an evening that was part celebration and part
commemoration.
“When Zachary Morfogen conceived of a series of
events entitled the Art of Caring we knew that the theme would resonate
among those at the forefront of delivering care,” said Norton Garfinkle,
Chair of NHF. “Tonight is evidence that this theme has substantial
meaning to the world outside of the hospice community.”
The use of art to reach out and express the special
care that is hospice has been the goal of the Art of Caring. NHF is
hosting a number of events promoting a greater understanding of hospice
through the celebration of art. Events at the Wally Findley Galleries in
Palm Beach
and New York, an art
unveiling at the Cove in South Florida, and an
exhibition in Las Vegas
documenting the global impact of HIV/AIDs are all part of the activities
held throughout 2003 and turning a light on hospice.
The Art of Caring will culminate in a gala on
April 7, 2005, at the Ronald
Reagan
Building and
International
Trade Center
in Washington, D.C.
Copyright: SeniorJournal.com |
