[caption id="attachment_37163" align="alignnone" width="432"]
A painting by Danny Simmons which will be on view in the "Art for Aid" gala art show this weekend.[/caption]
By Annette Hinkle
Wendy Wachtel has been in the art business for years. As the owner of Walk Tall Gallery, she operated a gallery space in East Hampton Village for several seasons, and since closing that location has continued to actively work with artists and collectors as an art dealer.
She also organizes an art event every summer as part of “Art for Life,” the annual fundraiser held at media mogul Russell Simmons’ East Hampton estate on behalf of his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (RPAF), an organization which helps disenfranchised individuals and people of color access arts and exhibition opportunities.
While she’s accustomed to moving fluidly among the movers and shakers of the East End’s art and cultural scene, as the assistant director of Meals on Wheels in East Hampton, Ms. Wachtel is also keenly aware of the wealth discrepancies that exist out here and the incredible need among those who struggle on a daily basis to survive.
“There’s all that glitzy fundraising, but very few of those people know there’s no affordable housing out here or that kids are coming in needing breakfast at preschool,” notes Ms. Wachtel.
Which is why she has merged her passion for art with her love of philanthropic causes by creating “Art for Aid,” an organization that will use one to help the other.
This Saturday, the first “Art for Aid” gala art show will take place at the Ross School’s tennis pavilion from 6 to 8 p.m. Ms. Wachtel is directing and curating the exhibit which is a fundraiser for five East End food pantries (Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, Wainscott, East Hampton and Southampton) as well as The Steven J. Ross Scholarship Fund.
“It’s really a benefit and one that is an art show,” explains Ms. Wachtel. “You don’t have to have a preexisting interest in the philanthropic organizations, you get to see great art, purchase it and help an organization. This sets up a mechanism for that.”
“I think celebrating charity is a good idea,” she adds. “We can’t all put on massive events like Russell does, but we can have an art show on the side.”
On view at the gala will be some 65 pieces of art, all of which will be sold to benefit the charities. The work, which will remain on view at Ross for five days, was created by four featured artists who are participating and donating to the event — Danny Simmons (Russell Simmons’ brother and a co-founder of RPAF), David Geiser, Walter Us and Shari Abramson.
[caption id="attachment_37164" align="alignnone" width="360"]
A paper and resin sculpture by David Geiser which will be on view at "Art for Aid"[/caption]
“These artists are exceptional because all of their work, although aesthetically different from one another, is so deeply emotionally charged,” explains Ms. Wachtel. “Every piece of the 65 that will be shown could accurately be described as moving and profound.”
Also participating in the show will be Ross faculty artists Chris Engel and Jenn Cross.
“These are artists I love and admire and also artists I have worked with at Walk Tall,” says Ms. Wachtel. “They are consistent in their quality of work and their regard for what they do.”
When asked to specifically describe what she likes about each of the four featured artists and their respective styles, Ms. Wachtel responds, “Danny Simmons has four pieces in the show, and as far as being an abstract artist, he is profound. I think he creates an entire universe in his canvas and there’s no reference to figurative elements in his work.”
“David Geiser’s work is just astounding,” she continues. “His pieces are paper built up with resin and oil. They’re organic and deep. I like work that stirs you. He calls them the Lascaux collection after the cave paintings in France. He has over 15 pieces and I find them to be dreamlike.”
[caption id="attachment_37165" align="alignnone" width="600"]
"Culture Field" a landscape by Walter Us that will appear in "Art for Aid."[/caption]
“Walter Us is a landscape artist who used to be more traditional, but he has zoomed in and is now microscopic in his brush strokes,” says Ms. Wachtel, “and Shari Abramson’s abstracts are all super expressive works. She works in oil, plus has six mixed media on paper pieces. There might be some serenity, but there’s no disconnect. They’re all touching you.”
When asked why she chose these particular artists for the first “Art for Aid” show, Ms. Wachtel says, “All these artists commit themselves to a universe and create it. It’s a completely emotional world. Nothing is about reporting or documenting. You’d think Walter’s would be because it’s classic landscape, but no, he’s talking about the soul. They all are.”
“It’s all about dialogue,” she says. “When you see the show up, every artist is dialoguing with the other one.”
While the food pantries and the Ross scholarship program will be the first beneficiaries of “Art for Aid,” Ms. Wachtel stresses that they won’t be the last. Her goal is to spread the love, so to speak, all over the East End.
“The idea is to always be moving through different charities, venues and artists,” says Ms. Wachtel. “It could be at 23 Elm, the Southampton Cultural Arts Center, Ashawagh Hall or the Bridgehampton Community Center.”
[caption id="attachment_37166" align="alignnone" width="432"]
Shari Abramson's "Untitled" work for "Art for Aid."[/caption]
“It’s saying to this charity, ‘We think you’re doing great things and are going to raise money for you,’” adds Ms. Wachtel, who will host the second “Art for Aid” gala in late summer or early fall at CMEE (Children’s Museum of the East End) to benefit Head Start.
This summer, she will take part in the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s “Art for Life” 20th anniversary art show and fundraising event weekend with an “Art for Aid” event on July 19 at the Bridgehampton Community House featuring live music, mimosas and artwork, naturally.
In the meantime, Ms. Wachtel is keeping her “ear to the ground” for other local charitable causes that “Art for Aid” can champion in the future, as well as possible venues and participants.
“I hope philanthropic organizations, political, relief and ecological activists, artists, poets, musicians, local venues, local businesses, art collectors and Hampton's residents will all reach out to us,” notes Ms. Wachtel. “This is our community and to keep it bountiful for some, it must be helped to be bountiful for all."
“Art for Aid” Gala Art Show, Saturday, April 25, 6 to 8 p.m. on the lower level of the Ross Tennis Center, 18 Goodfriend Drive, East Hampton. The artwork will remain on view through April 30. For more information on the event or “Art for Aid,” call Wendy Wachtel at (631) 681-1572.
