"Art for Change" in Southampton

Join us June 25th & 26th in Southampton

"Art for Change"

Nationally renown artists and lovers of art will gather from 4 ‐ 7p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at the 4 North Main Street Gallery in Southampton for a reception and gallery talk to benefit the East End African American Museum and Literacy Suffolk. A donation of $30 is requested.

Artists Frank Frazier and Robert Carter, master jeweler Panchita Carter, Brazilian painter Ernani DaSilva, Minna Dunn, photographers Teri Boddie, Deborah Jack, and Vanessa Greene, and mixed‐media artist Terry Richardson will all present new work. All works will be available for sale.

The proceeds from the artist reception and gallery talk will benefit two important Long Island nonprofit organizations: Literacy Suffolk and the East End African American Museum and Center for Excellence. Established in 1978, Literacy Suffolk has helped thousands of adults to acquire the skills necessary to realize their potential and become fully participating members of society. Like so many nonprofits, Literacy Suffolk has been hit hard by the economic conditions of the past few years. Decreasing public and private financial resources means even the best organizations are struggling to survive. In 2006, the board of directors of the East End African American Museum acquired an historically important building, the former site of Randy's Barbershop in the heart of Southampton. They now need to raise the funds to restore the facility and establish a permanent home dedicated to the preservation, presentation, and celebration of African American art and history.

The exhibit is the first of what will become an annual art show and benefit produced by "365 Art for Change," a Glen Cove‐based philanthropy, in association with "Diaspora Vibe," a Miami, Florida arts presenter. Founded by Vanessa Greene, who is herself a photographer, "365" seeks to use art to support good work by community‐based organizations to improve the quality of life on Long Island and beyond.

The show is being hosted by the "4 North Main Gallery" in Southampton. The exhibit hours are Saturday, June 25th, Noon ‐ 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 26th, Noon ‐ 6 p.m. Admission is free, except for the hours of the benefit.