‘HeARTbeat’ Art To Be Sold In Benefit Auction

RIDGEFIELD — For much of the past year, Newtown resident Amy Grabowski has lent her special talents to a unique project in support of Danbury Hospital.

In July of 2005, the hospital launched one of its most elaborate community projects / fundraisers.  “HeART Beat of Our Community,” a traveling art exhibit consisting of nearly 50 three-foot tall fiberglass hearts, painted and decorated by area artists, was created as a thank you to the community for its support of the hospital’s goal to deliver advanced cardiac care to this region. The hearts were created by CowParade, the same company that produces the life-size cow sculptures that have been decorated and exhibited in city-wide events around the world since

It marked the first anniversary of the Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center at Danbury Hospital, and serves as the backdrop for a series of Healthy Heart Education talks by the hospital’s cardiac specialists. Currently on view at the Danbury Fair Mall (a few are also at Danbury Hospital), the heart art will be auctioned on May 18 to benefit the Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center at Danbury Hospital.

Ms Grabowski, the external affairs director of The Aldrich Contemporary Museum of Art in Ridgefield, was first approached by Lisi Marcus, a “HeART Beat” committee member and wife of Neil Marcus, who serves on the boards of both the hospital and the museum. Ms Grabowski had her own links to Danbury Hospital, too, having been a volunteer at the hospital during high school.

A former docent and intern at the Aldrich, Grabowski began work there five years ago, shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland with a double major in Art History and Government Relations/Public Policy. She combines these two disciplines perfectly in her current role at The Aldrich.

Initially, she was to have been a liaison to the many area professional artists who would produce designs for the hearts.  That evolved into a closer link between the hospital and the Aldrich, which agreed to host a reception for the artists.

“I am impressed by the depth of commitment the hospital has shown to the community it serves, and am very happy that the Aldrich could play a role in making that happen,” said Ms Grabowski. “I hope this relationship between the hospital and the museum can continue, as we explore other ways we can collaborate.

“I know how hard artists work, and to see so many of them agreeing to take on this kind of commitment – some devoted more than 100 hours to completing their heart art – is indeed a tribute to them and to Danbury Hospital’s reputation,” Ms Grabowski continued. “I hope the people who see the exhibit come away with an appreciation for just how remarkable this project is.”

The last day to see the hearts at the mall will be May 16. The hearts will be auctioned on Thursday, May 18, at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Avenue.

Antiques Roadshow guest appraiser and independent auctioneer Kathleen Guzman will preside at the live auction.

The evening will begin with a preview and refreshments at 5:30 pm, followed promptly by the auction at 6:30 PM. All of the hearts may be viewed on CowParade’s website, CowParade.com.

Tickets to the live auction are $25 per person, and must be purchased in advance by calling 739-7806.

Selected hearts will be sold online via CowParade’s website.