My Global Hustle

Be Thankful: A Silent Art Auction Benefitting Scott Andresen Takes Place On

Wednesday, November 3rd from 7:00-10 PM At the Collette Blanchard Gallery

New York, NY – Kehinde Wiley and Collette Blanchard are honored to host Be
Thankful, a benefit for artist Scott Andresen, on Wednesday, November 3rd,
2010 at 7:00 PM at the Collette Blanchard Gallery, in association with the
National Transplant Assistance Fund & Catastrophic Injury Program’s New York
Spinal Cord Injury Fund. Information is available at
http://be-thankful-benefit.com.

Organized by a benefit committee comprised of friends and peers of
Andresen’s the fundraiser will help to cover medical expenses associated
with a bicycle accident that left the up-and-coming artist with a
devastating spinal cord injury.  An array of diverse and talented visual
artists including Derrick Adams, Ann Craven, Wangechi Mutu, Shinique Smith,
Mickalene Thomas, Nari Ward, and Kehinde Wiley among many others (see
complete list below) have banded together to raise money, generously
donating their time and artwork. The fundraiser is named after Andresen’s
favorite song, William DeVaughn’s, “Be Thankful For What You’ve Got”.

ABOUT THE BENEFIT:
On July 5th, Scott Andresen was struck by a speeding vehicle while riding
his bicycle in Brooklyn. Paramedics rushed him to Long Island College
Hospital (LICH) in Brooklyn where x-rays and cat-scans revealed a
catastrophic spinal cord injury including multiple shattered vertebrae in
his lower back. A 9.5-hour emergency operation to stabilize and repair his
spine was a success. Scott spent the next three weeks recovering in LICH’s
ICU followed by another three weeks in physical rehabilitation at Mount
Sinai’s Spinal Rehabilitation Unit. Now home, Andersen has begun the long,
difficult process of recovery and doctors are hopeful for a nearly full
recovery. Unfortunately, even with insurance, the costs involved with this
tragedy are astronomical and he needs assistance.

The National Transplant Assistance Fund, a non-profit that aids patients of
catastrophic injuries with their fundraising efforts, has partnered with the
collaborators of this event, allowing all auction items to be tax
deductible.  All proceeds will help defer costs associated with Andresen’s
injury.

Participating Artists: Derrick Adams – Daphne Arthur – Rachel Beach – Kevin
Cooley – Ann Craven – Daniel Davidson – Rochelle Feinstein – Maija Fiebig –
Johannes de Young – Aaron Gilbert – David Humphrey – Carmen McLeod – Dio
Mendoza – Sam Messer – Adia Millet – Amy Morse – Wangechi Mutu – Mary Reid
Kelley – Alexis Semtner – Xaviera Simmons – Shinique Smith – Mickalene
Thomas – Ka-Man Tse – Nari Ward – Kehinde Wiley – and others.

EVENT DETIALS:
Date: Wednesday November 3rd, 2010
Location:
Collette Blanchard Gallery
26 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002

Schedule:
7:00 PM – Doors Open
Silent Auction, Cocktails and Hors D’Oeuvres 9:30 PM – Auction Closes 10:00
PM – Event Ends

Benefit Committee:
Derrick Adams
Shinique Smith
Mickalene Thomas
Nari Ward
Kehinde Wiley

Event Coordinator: Rahsaan Gandy

In Partnership With: Collette Blanchard Gallery

Sponsors:
Fort Defiance
Hush Cocktails
Moet & Chandon
Machu Pisco
National Transplant Assistance Fund

Event Website: http://be-thankful-benefit.com/

Inquiries:
Rahsaan Gandy
310-994-0333
be.thankful.benefit@gmail.com

Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. This campaign
is administered by the National Transplant Assistance Fund, a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic
injury patients. Information: 800.642.8399. A copy of the latest annual
report can be obtained from the organization or from the office.