East Hampton, NY - May 5, 2016 - For the fifth year in a row, the RJD Gallery in Sag Harbor will hold an art exhibit to benefit The Retreat, the only non-profit domestic violence agency serving the East End of Long Island.
The show, titled “The Art of Discovery,” is slated to open May 14th with an opening reception from 6 to 8pm. It will feature four accomplished artists: Amanda Bellino, Anthony D’Avino, Miles Jaffe, and Sarupa Sidaath, who were selected for the exhibit from hundreds of prospective artists who submitted sample works early this year, as well as a work from the honorable mention: Anzhelika Doliba. Most of the artists will be attending.
Over 130 artists submitted works by making a donation to The Retreat. They have created works for the show that will be priced from $1,200 to $25,000. A portion of the sales of those pieces go directly to The Retreat.
“We are proud to host this exhibit in support of The Retreat to raise awareness and funds to provide safety, shelter and support to local victims of domestic abuse,” said Richard Demato, Retreat Board Member and Owner and Namesake of the RJD Gallery. “The Retreat is where violence ends and hope begins.”
The work will be on display to the public thru June 7th at the RJD Gallery, which is open Thursday to Monday from 10 to 5, with extended hours on Friday and Saturday (10-6) and for the opening reception. Please call 631.725.1161 with any questions.
Born in Lima, Peru, Amanda Bellino studied architecture at Parson School of Design. She was in a terrible car accident that almost left her permanently handicapped when she starting painting to relieve stress. Her art evolved into incorporating sand, mortar and gels to create multi-dimensional sculpture and her work has been described as personal, captivating and serene.
Anthony D’Avino was Chairman of the Arts Department in Commack’s Burr Jr. High School for over 30 years. His work inspired thousands of students to see the beauty of art in daily life. His current series of works is based on Mr. D’Avinos’ antique toy collection. The “color design” aspect of the toys, provides and endless array of compositional possibilities.
Miles Jaffe, a RISD student and son of architect Norman Jaffe, has worked both drafting tables and construction sites since he was a youth. Today, his firm specializes in the design and execution of a wide range of creative projects, from architecture and furniture to new media. He refers to his art as “the result of sudden visions, obsessive compulsion, and accidents, usually with a good story behind them.”
Born in India, Sarupa Sidaarth studied at Sir J.J. School of Art and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She was recently selected for the Golden Foundation Residency in New York and NordArt in Germany. She is inspired by embellishment and uses acrylic paint to make circular and metallic elements and transforms images that reference social issues into moments of transcendence on the canvas.
Ukrainian born realistic fine artist Anzhelika Doliba specializes in a wide range of drawing themes, highly detailed, and works in mediums including pencil, charcoal, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, oil and clay. She is part of a group of classically trained artists who transform space with murals, plaster forms, and faux finishes, across the east coast.
For more information about the artists to be featured in “The Art of Discovery,” please visit rjdgallery.com.
About The Retreat
Since 1987, The Retreat has been a safe haven for individuals and families in crisis, providing safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Through direct services including a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education and emergency shelter, The Retreat gives clients the opportunity to safely heal and reestablish their lives, free from violence.
To break the cycle of family violence, The Retreat offers prevention education programs to children of all ages. In addition, The Retreat operates other innovative prevention programs, such as the Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative, which helps economically struggling parents, who have not abused, to identify personal strengths to help them develop healthy relationship skills with their partners, improve parent capabilities and connection with their children, and work toward economic stability.