Background
ArtBra New Haven was founded in 2011, by Serena Hatch and Gaye Hyre, both breast cancer survivors.
Inspired by similar groups around the country, they felt strongly
that New Haven needed its own interpretation of the concept. With its
unique combination of superb medical facilities and funky art scene,
they knew that New Haven could produce something very special.
Gaye spoke with
a development officer and a special events coordinator at Smilow Cancer Hospital. They liked the concept
and authorized the auction as a “third-party event”
for the benefit of patients at the Breast Center.
Gaye
then set about putting the major elements in place. Lisa Cammolli,
director of sales at the Omni Hotel, offered complimentary use of the
ballroom facilities (including runway, lights, and sound system) and
provided catering at a preferred rate.
Jennifer Ford-Chatfield,
herself a survivor and owner of New Haven's Fleur-de-Lys Florals, made a major
contribution of stage and table arrangements. Bruce Barber, host of
WNPR's “Yale Cancer Center Answers,” embraced the opportunity to
serve as emcee and auctioneer.
To introduce a
note of rigor to the event, ArtBra chose to honor an outstanding local
advocate for the concerns of the breast cancer community. U. S.
Representative Rosa DeLauro, a survivor of ovarian cancer, accepted the honor in recognition of her
“No-Drive-Through” mastectomy/hysterectomy legislation mandating that patients not be sent home immediately post-operative.
Next Gaye worked
with renowned fantasy artist Melissa Benson (daughter of a survivor)
to design the distinctive ArtBra New Haven “corset” logo.
Over the
succeeding several months, a website was created and an artists' call
for submissions was distributed to local arts organizations including
Kehler-Liddell Gallery, the Neighborhood Music School, and the
Creative Arts Workshop.
Word of mouth did the rest. In 2011, our first year, we
received 52 bras and 12 pieces of fine art; attendance was 134; we
raised $10,000 for the patients' fund. In 2012 we received 64 bras
and 17 fine art pieces. Attendance increased by better than 20%, and
we saw a modest increase in funds raised.
Every
partnership with local businesses and artists worked out beautifully and has extended into our second
and third operating years.
CEO Statement
The founding
vision of ArtBra New Haven is threefold:
- to forge a therapeutic
collaboration among breast cancer patients, their supporters, and the
fine art community of Greater New Haven;
- to weave this
partnership into a medical/financial safety net for under- and
uninsured breast cancer patients; and
- to be a catalyst for joy
among patients and their supporters during the often grueling period
of treatment, through to recovery, and beyond.
Each year in the run up to the auction, my home is brightly festooned
with dozens of astounding creations. They arrive daily, even a bit past the deadline.
Everyone expresses how much they enjoy this unusual form of "art therapy." I am constantly
amazed and awestruck at the creativity, ingenuity, talent, and
generosity of those who come forward to participate in ArtBra.
One survivor, a
retired fiber artist and teacher of needlework, fabricated a bra
using the shells and sea glass she had collected during her walks on the beach while in treatment. She has not only created bras for our second
and third years, she has been inspired in her mid-seventies to return
to her teaching.
Some of our
creations have an encore. “When
Life Hands You Lemons, Make Pink Lemonade” was donated
back to be displayed at the Breast Center Boutique. We have been told that many women say it broke the ice for them, helping them
through the stressful and demoralizing experience of their first
prosthetic fittings.
Many of our bras
and fine art pieces are donated in honor of a beloved survivor's
triumph over the disease or in memory of a friend or loved one lost
to the disease. Several young people have donated creations or raised
money in honor of their mothers, grandmothers, aunts or other important women in their lives.
The auction itself is a unique showcase of courage and artistic
flair. Among our valiant models our first year was a three-time
survivor celebrating her fortieth birthday. This year, a 98 year-old survivor will model our “Celebrate Survival”
bra. Each turn down the runway has a witty musical accompaniment.
Last year one young woman who came to support a friend, was herself diagnosed a few months
later. She returns this year a confident and healthy survivor, submitting a beautiful creation for the auction. These are only a few examples of people touched by this effort.
Another notable effect of ArtBra New Haven is the strong friendships that have formed as a result of the project."We are all "sisters under the scars".
Board Chair Statement
ArtBra New Haven has, in its so far short existence, been successful in engaging breast cancer survivors, their supporters, and fine artists in the New Haven region. This has been an inspiring grassroots effort. The challenge, as I see it, is to increase ArtBra's reach and participation.
I have been working on this by speaking to community groups such as breast cancer support groups and Sisterhoods. I have displayed examples at local art shows, and have helped to hold "BYOBra" parties. These are gatherings where participants bring their ideas and supplies, and together make bras and other creations to submit for the auction. I hope to set a membership structure in place for the future, to keep the camaraderie going.
I continue to volunteer with ArtBra New Haven because it continues to reward my efforts in terms of emotional support. Creating bras that make fun of the disease, helps me cope with the persistent, low-level anxiety that is endemic to all cancer survivors. Sharing "Better Living Through Chemistry" and "You Look Radiant, Madame Curie", garnered great reaction at the first event, making me very happy. Anyone who has had to endure chemotherapy and a course of radiation treatment has an immediate frame of reference of those.
Perhaps even more important than the above, has been seeing how much pleasure and and satisfaction this project gives to others. Experiencing the joy in the room during the event is galvanizing. The sales manager at the Omni told me that in 12 years of doing her job, she had never felt so much energy in that room.
Aside from the bras, the fine artwork also speaks to the soul of both the artists and the survivors. One painting, NED Dance (no evidence of disease) was done by an 84 year old patient during her treatment. She said that when she was in pain, she "added a T", turning pain into paint. Her exuberant piece was bought by a recent survivor who has told me how happy it makes her every day when she sees it on her living room wall.
The ultimate, bittersweet example is that in the past six months, I have known three women who suffered catastrophic recurrences of their disease. All three told me before they died, how much fun they had at last year's ArtBra, and how much they were looking forward to this October. One was even attempting to make a bra to donate, despite her debilitating illness, but was unable to complete it before her death. It is impossible to put common value on such things, they are worth more to me than any funds I could ever raise. For me, this task manifestly worth doing.