The 19th Annual Beaufort Art Association – Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation Benefit and Sale is now underway.
Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend. Art is displayed in the Beaufort Memorial Hospital hallways adjacent to the registration lobby, around the corner from the main entrance reception desk. The exhibit will run through Friday, December 4, 2009.
The BMH Foundation has been the fundraising arm of the hospital for the past 20 years and has been successful in raising vital funds needed for quality healthcare for the community. The following is a list of some of the services and equipment which the Foundation has funded: Asthma Camp for Children; C.H.I.P Mobile Unit; Cochrane Heart Center; Healthlink for Children; Keyserling Cancer Center; LifeFit Wellness Center; redecoration of pediatric rooms; Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Unit; telemetry stations for ICU, ER and 5th Floor; Total Joint Replacement Program start up funding; and the Video Capsule Endoscopy System. The BAA’s 19th collaboration with the BMH Foundation raises funds for another of the Foundation’s projects, the Betty Mazarin Pharmaceutical Assistance Fund. The Beaufort Art Association receives no revenue from the exhibit. Participating artists agree to donate a minimum of 40 to 100 percent of each sale. The proceeds help to provide prescription medications to patients who are unable to pay for their medications when they are released from the hospital.
The Beaufort Art Association is a local, non-profit organization fostering local art talent and art education. In existence over 30 years, the BAA members display in their local gallery at the Elliot House at the corner of Bay and Charles Streets; and at office and business locations throughout Northern Beaufort County. New Gallery shows highlighting local featured artists open every six weeks. Workshops, classes, and demonstrations are also offered throughout the year.
This BMH Foundation show features over 50 artists and over 100 pieces of original paintings and photographs from the Beaufort Art Association members. As each original work of art is sold, the artists will replace them with new works until the show ends on December 4th. Through the years the BAA artists have contributed more than $25,000 to the fund.
Among the 50 displaying artists is Sandy Dimke, a local award winning photographer. She will be displaying the elegant image Calla Lily, chosen by the Carolina Nature Photographers as one of only 4 photos this summer to grace their website. Sandy’s nature-oriented work gravitates to simple flowers and the abstract beauty in their small details. She is the Treasurer of and serves on the Board of the Beaufort Art Association. Her work in writing grants to public and private foundations has secured monies to further the arts in Beaufort County. Sandy is also a co-founder, past President, and current Treasurer and Board Member of the Photography Club of Beaufort. She is the architect behind the creation and publication of the highly successful A Photographer’s Guide to Beaufort.
The exhibit may be viewed daily during the hospital’s regular visiting hours. For further information or to contribute to the Betty Mazarin Pharmaceutical Assistance Fund, call 522-5774 or visit bmhsc.org. The Beaufort Art Association can be reached by calling 379-2222 or visiting beaufortartassociation.com.
