THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504210246
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
Death is the only inevitability that one meets with little or no training. Fortunately, there are folks in the community who work to make the journey less painful.
Many of them have experienced the loss of a loved one, and they have turned that grief into a caring organization called Dare Hospice.
Operating with a large body of volunteers and only four paid part-time employees, the nonprofit group cares for 17 to 20 terminally ill patients and their families annually.
In its 12 years of operation, Dare Hospice has become a creative think tank, churning out money-raising ideas that enable it to keep going. This year the hospice has turned to the art community for help on a special project.
Twelve artists were asked to lend an Outer Banks-related painting or drawing to be reproduced on note cards. The response was tremendous.
``There was no coercing or badgering or anything. Every single artist said yes when they found out it was for the hospice,'' said volunteer Ellie Grumiaux, who came up with the idea.
Businesses can use the cards for a more personal form of communication with their customers. Residents can bring the beach closer to family and friends. And visitors will have the chance to take a little bit of the Outer Banks home with them.
Looking beyond the year-round community for support is a realistic approach, not only because we are a visitor-supported economy, but also because the loving hands of Dare Hospice reach out-of-towners as well as locals.
The charity group accepts patient referrals from hospice organizations anywhere. This allows individuals with only months to live to come to the Outer Banks for their last days.
``We are helping that person realize their final dream vacation, to have their families all around them,'' said hospice volunteer Mary Ann Burrus.
Dare Hospice does not charge its patients. ``We do an enormous amount of work on a very small budget,'' Burrus said.
And while community support has always been great, the proverbial cupboard is almost bare, according to volunteer Clair Sutton.
``It's beyond pathetic,'' she said. ``It's borderline not having any money.''
Hopes are high for the Outer Banks Artist project. The fund-raiser will feature an unveiling of the original works at the Duck Woods Country Club on Friday. The public is invited to share in a ``Celebration of the Arts'' and meet the artists who have contributed their talent.
Wine and cheese will complement the evening, and guests will be presented with the first edition of these note cards.
Contributing artists include Rick Tupper, who is sharing a rhythmic pencil drawing of a clam shell; Susan Vaughan, whose folk art painting depicts a comfortable couple fishing in a Prussian-blue, fish-filled sea; James Melvin, who has painted a group of stark white egrets with yellow-orange bills vibrating against a blue background; Marcia Cline, lending a fluid and delicately colored rendition of whales; Glenn Eure, sharing a rustic watercolor of weathered row boats; Betty Haskin, featuring a richly colored flat top cottage scene; Carol Trotman with a vivid floral painting; John Silver with a nostalgic watercolor beach scene; John de la Vega, sharing a brilliant abstract beach view; Chris Haltigan with a shimmering boatscape; and Ellie Grumiaux, contributing a striking lighthouse and bird scene.
Also represented will be the late Frank Stick, through his intense painting of a leaping blue marlin.
The project has long-term possibilities. New card series will be created, including Outer Banks Christmas cards featuring the work of local graphic artists and a photograph series.
``People have a very tender feeling toward Hospice,'' Burrus said. ``I have always found when you deal with this community people always say yes.''
After all, she added, ``All of us are terminal. We just don't know when.'' MEMO: Tickets to the Dare Hospice ``Celebration of the Arts'' evening, 6-9
p.m. Friday, are available by calling 261-2766.
ILLUSTRATION: Painting by John Silver
Painting by Glen Eure
Painting by
JAMES MELVIN
These are three samples of the works of 12 artists used for a series
of note cards for Dare Hospice.
by CNB