By Judy Carmack Bross
“The evening had a magical feel as it blended cultural refinement and casual elegance, the hallmarks of old Palm Beach. It was a fusion of art, architecture, and old-world style at the Surovek Gallery in Via Parigi, with one of the most charming courtyards on Worth Avenue,” said Joyce Sang on the recent Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation’s Palm Beach Art Exhibition.
An electric violinist played for guests at the Surovek Gallery set in the Via Parigi in Palm Beach.
Chicagoan Anna Wren, right, and Kelly Ring.
The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation‘s founders Joyce and Dusty Sang, who divide their time between Chicago and Palm Beach, brought INSIGHTS VII, a juried retrospective of artworks by artists with Bipolar Disorder to Palm Beach’s Surovek Gallery recently and several Chicagoans were among the supporters, artists and advocates who mingled among the blooming bougainvillea in Via Parigi, listening to the soft tones of an electric violinist dressed in all yellow. (One of the guests commented that she looked like a beautiful canary).
Mary Conrad with Melissa Haley, who divides her time between Chicago and Palm Beach.
The Foundation was founded 20 years ago in Palm Beach where the Sang’s son, Ryan, was born and raised. “Although it was a chilly night, there was so much warmth all around because so many of our guests knew Ryan, whether they were his childhood friends or the parents of his friends,” Joyce Sang said. “Hors d’oeuvres and dinner were served in the courtyard and the guests wandered in and out of the gallery at their leisure.”
Chicagoan Susan Aurinko with the scarf she created for the night.
Guests received a gift bag with contents that included a custom-designed limited-edition “wearable art” scarf by Chicagoan Susan Aurinko, that featured a painting by Victoria Loeb that is part of the Foundation’s collection and was in the INSIGHTS VII Exhibition.
Chicagoan Leigh-Anne Kazma with friend.
Jeffrey Fisher, Chairman Frances Fisher, Chairman Sally Soter, and Patrick McNamara.
The Exhibition featured the “Best of the Best” from the Foundation’s INSIGHTS II–VI permanent collections that showcased “Creativity and the Bipolar Brain” in order to help spread awareness and understanding about Bipolar Disorder. The opening night reception was co-chaired by Frances Fisher and Sally Soter, with Honorary Chairs Denise and Dan Hanley. Ten of the featured artists traveled from across the country to attend, including the Foundation’s Michigan-based, artist-in-residence, Kelly Mathews. All artists, whose works were in the Exhibition, received a grant, funded by the Lyon Family Foundation of Chicago.
David Feingold with his self-portrait.
Pennsylvania Artist Jim Mackey with daughter Sarah Lash.
Maryland Artist Stephen Haiman.
Tina Bilotti (Palm Beach) with Artist Barbara Murak (NY).
Reflecting on the Foundation’s 20-year journey, the Foundation’s Co-Founder Dusty Sang shared, “We are deeply humbled and profoundly grateful for the unwavering support we’ve received and for all of you who understand and advance the Foundation’s mission. That which we all do together is much greater than we know, and it is our collective efforts that will resonate far into the future to benefit generations to come.”
Drew Hanley, Mumbi O’Brien, Blake Hanley and Honorary Chairman Denise Hanley
Marilyn Beuttenmueller and Margie Betten of Palm Beach.
Guest speakers included longtime supporter and event co-chair Frances Fisher, as well as Patrick McNamara, CEO of Palm Health Foundation, one of the event’s Visionary Sponsors, and Susan Magsamen from Johns Hopkins, the founder of the NeuroArts Blueprint. McNamara remarked, “Most of us deal with some form of brain health. Our goal is to transform South Florida into ‘The Brain Coast.’”
Michigan-based artist-in-residence Kelly Matthews speaking to students.
Honored Guest Susan Magsamen
Sheila Rinker and Chairman Sally Soter
Joyce Sang told us:
“The following day, 25 students from the Palm Beach Atlantic University came to hear Kelly Mathews speak about being an artist and having Bipolar Disorder and to see the exhibit. The Q & A was really interesting and then we sent them back to classes with a boxed lunch from Jersey Mike’s, a scarf by Susan Aurinko, the Foundation’s signature Rocky Road candy, the Foundation’s black and white awareness ribbon pin and a catalog from the Exhibition. It was a terrific way to educate and help to break the stigma that surrounds Bipolar Disorder. The students were from the Psychology, Art and Counseling areas. They were amazing! We will do that again next year. We are so fortunate that the gallery keeps the exhibit up for three weeks, considering nothing from the Exhibition is for sale. The Suroveks are most generous in donating some much gallery space to help the Foundation in its mission to change the course of Bipolar Disorder.”
Ann Appleman and Christine Curtis from Palm Beach
Anne and John Surovek with Jessica and Clay Surovek.
Bruce and Lori Gendelman with Grace and Chris Meigher
Chicagoans are anticipating the Foundation’s Annual Chicago Medical Briefing Luncheon on May 7 at an elegant Gold Coast Club, made all the more special as it celebrates the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary, and always mirrors Joyce Sang’s beautiful choices of Spring linens and flowers. The Foundation has a new initiative for the next ten years entitled Making a Difference, transitioning from last ten-year-initiative of Targeting Change. The Foundation’s panelists will be John Walkup, MD, Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, and Janet Wozniak, MD, Director of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard, Boston. The Shining Star recipients for 2025 will be Elizabeth and Buck Betten who will receive their award at the luncheon.
Dave and Kelly Mathews and Dr. Randy Blakely.
Jerry and Linda Meyer.
Julie Cummings and Tony Cummings of Palm Beach.
For more information about the Ryan Licht Sang Foundation, visit: rlsbf.org
