Making a difference… the true meaning of the holidays

Photographer, Kenro Izu realized that one person CAN make a difference.  His dream was to save the life of a child.  To build a free children’s hospital in Cambodia.   His first thought was what can one photographer do.  The answer: A LOT!  Kenro elicited friends in the art industry, calling upon them to donate their time, money and art.  Together in the cause they established a non-profit organization Friends Without A Border, founded in 1995.  Over the years, raising enough money to build the Angkor Hospital for Children saving lives by providing healthcare to more than one million children since 1999.

My husband, photographer, Jene Youtt and I learned of Kenro’s work when we visiting Siem Reap, Cambodia in 2008 and knew that we had to do something to give back to these wonderful people.  Upon our return, I searched the web and contacted Friends Without a Border, learning that we can give more than a membership donation through our art.  Each year since, we have participated in their photo auctions.  The auction bidding on our prints has raised thousands of dollars.  This is the 4th auction that we are a part of and we will continue to give through our art.  It is truly a honor to be listed among the hundreds of artists who participate in this event and I am humbled.

Tomorrow, December 4th is the 15th annual Friends of Friends Photography auction.  The $50 admission includes a paddle number and a copy of  the auction catalog.  In this troubled economy, it is even more important to help.  Your dollars can go a long way in bringing healthcare to those in need.  Come out and lend your support.  Why just plunk down 50 bucks at a trendy NY bar for a few drinks, that same $50 can gain you entrance to an event, where you can mingle with artists, art collectors and caring, generous patrons of the arts and have a few drinks while the excitement of bidding builds.  It’s a win/ win situation.

Click here to purchase tickets 

Metropolitan Pavilion

123 West 18th Streetm  5th Floor “The Level”

6:00 – 7:00 pm  preview and cocktail reception

7:00 – 8:30 pm  live auction

All the artwork can be viewed on line:  www.fwabphotoauction.org  with links to each artist’s homepage.

Or purchase this special edition print from Wendy Sacks’ Monster in the Closet series.  $500 with a tax deduction of $420.  Not only will you receive a beautiful and haunting piece of art, but a tax deduction as well and the proceeds will benefit the poor children of Siem Reap and outlying areas.

You too can make a difference.

Namaste,

Mary Durante Youtt

Taking a break from the hectic pace of the holiday season

Monday night, Jene and I took advantage of one of many TravelZoo Deals.  We went to the Metropolitan Room (34 W 22nd St.  NYC).   New York has so much to offer and sometimes we don’t take advantage of all that surrounds us.  There are so many small venues that seat you up front and personal in an intimate atmosphere where you can drink in all the ambiance.  I don’t think there was a bad seat in the joint.  Our table was smack dab in the center and perhaps 5 feet from the stage.

The Metropolitan Room hosts different cabaret acts and having not heard of many of the performers, I google searched and listened to some of their musical styles before selecting  Floanne.  The bass and piano were the perfect compliments to  her soprano vocals. “Love is French” was an entertaining bilingual stroll through the paths of love that seemed to have couples reach across tables with interlaced fingers in the darkness of the candlelit room.

I have to admit, being married to a man who loves the arts is ideal  He is usually the one that seeks out our cultural interludes with subscriptions to a variety of discounted art forms.  The internet makes searching things out so much easier.  I love it!   The holidays get hectic for most people because they can’t always take the time out to enjoy quieter moments.

Many of  Jene’s former dance models keep in touch letting him know about their upcoming NY performances.  Juan Michael Porter will be performing with the Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company this weekend at The Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 W. 55th St).  Opening night is Friday, we’re going to Saturday night’s performance.  Juan Michael is such a powerful dancer and we have been going to his NY performances over the years.

A great way to start off the holiday season… surrounded by music, dance and the arts.

And if you are looking for the perfect artful gift for a special person in your life, you or someone else, come to the 15th Annual Friends of Friends Photography Auction.

Metropolitan Pavilion

123 West 18th Street  5th floor “The Level”

Auction admission is $50, you will receive an auction paddle and the auction catalog.  Bid on prints from the likes of Irving Penn, Willian Klein, Ed Pfizenmaier, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Steve McCurry, Walker Evans, Imogen Cunningham and The Youtts.  So you see our photography prints are in good company.

Tuesday – December 4th  6 – 8pm  Preview and Cocktail Reception

                                               7 -8:30  Live Auction

A gift that gives so much.  The funds benefit The Angkor Hospital for Children, Cambodia.  The photography prints are generously donated by the artists, galleries and private collections.  The Angkor Hospital was a dream of Kenro Izu, whose vision became a reality.  So make a difference this year in the lives of many.  Come, bid and hopefully you will go home with a prized possession of a beautiful work of art.  Thank you Friends Without A Border for all that you do.

Non, je ne regrette rien (I have no regrets)

Well maybe there are a few little regrets.  I certainly have made enough mistakes over the years and probably will continue to make some more.   But in retrospect, it’s been a good life and I hope it continues.

This topic arises because I just went to the funeral of my oldest cousin.  She and her husband of almost 60 years, have 3 daughters and so many wonderful grandkids and great grandchildren.  As I hugged, one of her daughters fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.  My mother died nearly 22 years ago and although I wish I could turn back the hands of time, I can’t… no one can.  But I’ve always tried to let go and I have no regrets.    Living in close proximity availed me and my siblings to be around especially at the ends of their lives.  But it wasn’t just in the end, we were there always – a family, loving, laughing and yes, arguing.  The love was unconditional.  They loved us because we were their children, we loved them because they were people with good hearts.  And that goes a long way in the arena of good memories that will last my lifetime.  Love with an open heart.

I know this is NY Metro Art Scene and this entry topic is a stretch of the imagination.  But isn’t creating a loving environment an art form onto itself.  This tune pops into my head.  “Make someone happy, just make one someone happy…. ”  and it doesn’t take a lot to make some people happy.   This year Friends Without ABorder is getting into cyberworld and has put 44 donated photography prints up on the auction block through Bidding for Good.  the auction runs through December 18th.

If you are in NYC on Monday,  Dec. 5th  7-9pm  come to the live event for Friends Without A Border’s auction.  You can bid on a wonderful piece of photography there or online of course.  A cocktail reception is being held at:

Tenri Cultural Institute of NY

43A West 13th Street  (betw 5th & 6th Avenues)

Loving with an open heart is a gift that has an ebb and flow.  What you give, you receive.  So help create a loving and healthy environment for the children of Cambodia.  The auction benefits The Angkor Hospital for Children.

               

My print Deux Orchids is itemt #9                                          Jene Youtt’s “Blue” is item # 43

Other prints of ours have sold at auction for $500 +.  Talk about a bargain, the opening bid is $50 for these beautiful prints in archival mats.

We hope to see you there on Monday.

Mary Durante (Wehrhahn) Youtt

I have started the legal process of changing my name – dropping one I borrowed 40 years ago, taking back my maiden name and adding my husband’s surname to mine.