Fraternity-Testvériség, 2009 (87. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2009-01-01 / 1. szám
FEATURE ARTICLE only a small sampling of Ambassador Brinker's 150-piece collection was on display in Phoenix, these paintings are truly creating a global impact; we are so delighted our Founder has developed Art for the Cure™ into a program which unites people who love art with those who want to make a local and worldwide difference in the fight against breast cancer." Others offered their views of the exhibit as well. Barbara Payne, Phoenix attorney and docent at the art museum, said, "This exhibit, for Nancy, was collected with love." Denise E. McClain, Board President of the Phoenix Affiliate of Susan G. Komén for the Cure, said as she lovingly held the picture of her recently deceased mother due to breast cancer, "This event is further evidence that we should have hope for the cure. It is exciting that the art community is having the opportunity to get to know the passionate Nancy Brinker that we at Susan G. Komén for the Cure already know, love and respect. Even when my mother was growing weaker and weaker from battling breast cancer, she continued to have hope as she believed that the work that Susan G. Komén for the Cure was doing would someday lead to a cure. Through exciting new partnerships such as 'Art for the Cure', our hope is strengthened as we are one step closer to a world without breast cancer." Dr. Thomas J. Loughman, Curator of European Art and Assistant to the Director for Exhibitions at the Phoenix Art Museum, commented, "It is such a great pleasure to host this rich and expansive sampling of Hungarian modernist works here in Phoenix from the Nancy G. Brinker collection. The exhibition provides an ideal opportunity for visitors to understand the marvelous cultural accomplishments between the World Wars and the vital role played by Hungary's finest artists working at home and abroad in such centers as Budapest, Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Rome and even New York. Each painting is worth a visit, but it is the story that the exhibition tells of the works as a group that is most exciting for us as a staff and most engaging for our public." Fellow Hungarian art collectors from Denver, CO, Kirk Brown III and Jill Witse, said, "Hungarian art has taken another step to increased exposure because now it has reached a major regional museum. The giant exhibition space means directors and curators recognize the value of Hungarian art." Barbara Rogoff, Business Manager of the Nancy G. Brinker Collection, commented, "We've forged a great relationship with the Phoenix Art Museum that has been cooperative and welcoming and a pleasurable experience for me. This exhibit that is currently being shown in New York City was underwritten by the Hungarian Cultural Center in New York and we're looking at a London and a Palm Beach show in 2010 among other stops." On a more personal note, Eric Brinkertold the audience, "I, too am a co-survivor as I lived with my mother as she herself survived breast cancer. In 26 years, thanks to the vision of Komen's founding board members, we have impacted the U.S. in our fight to rid women of this horrible disease. More than a billion dollars in grants have been given, and today, we can boast of a 98% curable rate, but we want to increase our global efforts so we have instituted an "End Breast Cancer Forever" program. In the U.S. alone, 200,000 cases will be diagnosed this coming year. My own family has given money which has been matched by the Joint American Jewish Distribution Center, but this exhibit received generous financial support from General Mills, Charles Schwab, and Yoplait as well." McClain from the Phoenix Affiliate closed the evening by reporting that they had raised $2.3 million this past year and they were hoping that nearly 39-thousand people would participate in the upcoming Komén Race for the Cure in Phoenix. She said, "With the partnership between the Phoenix Art Museum and Susan G. Komén for the Cure, this exhibit, this 'Jewel in the Desert' is stronger, more glittering, and more valuable tonight." Ambassador Brinker thanked her guests for attending. As an aside, she admitted, "As long as anyone wants to see these pictures, we'll take it to them. My son, Eric, tells me that since I'm from Peoria, IL, that if this show 'plays in Peoria, it'll play anywhere'." And on that night, Phoenix was Peoria; the show played extremely well and will do even better in New York City this year. FRATERNITY - TESTVÉRISÉG 11
