By Judy Carmack Bross
Co-Chairs Elizabeth left, and Buck Betten, second from left, with Foundation Founders Joyce and Dusty Sang, parents of his childhood friend
INSIGHTS VII, an art exhibition of “Creativity and the Bipolar Brain” sponsored by The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation, held recently at the Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, inspired guests not only by the powerful art, but also by the words of Buck Betten, a friend of the Foundation’s namesake Ryan since childhood.
Betten, who co-chaired the event with his wife Elizabeth, recalled Sang’s incredible artistic talent and creativity, as well as his unique ability to connect with people.
Buck Betten, left, with Steve and Raegan Lindeke
Three icons on wood by Ryan Licht Sang
“Tonight, we’re surrounded by art and artists who share that same powerful connection,” Buck said. “The works in this gallery are more than just art—they’re windows into minds that see and experience the world in extraordinary ways. For those of us who don’t live with Bipolar Disorder, I think these pieces offer us a glimpse into the complex world of those with this condition. I’m still on my own journey of understanding but I see Ryan in these pieces. And I hope maybe tonight you too will see a friend or a loved one with bipolar in this art.”
Insights Artists in attendance
Melissa Haley and Betsy Peterson
Robin Malpass and William Lieberman
Ryan Sang’s parents Joyce and Dusty created the Foundation soon after their son, a talented outsider artist, musician and writer, died at 24 from Bipolar Disorder. The Foundation continues to find ways to powerfully prove that people with Bipolar Disorder deserve a voice and understands that art can be a powerful way for them to express both their struggles and their joys. Among its comprehensive efforts, The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation funds research to find an empirical, biomarker test for Bipolar Disorder so that early detection in children and adolescents becomes a reality.
Abby O’Neil, who served as the benefit’s Honorary Chair with Carroll Joynes, and Grant Penfield Haugen
Amy Morro, Leigh-Anne Kazma, and Liz Dauten
Jill Maremont and Kathy Harrison
The benefit was all the more compelling with the presence of nine of the featured artists who told their stories as they stood beside their powerful pieces.
INSIGHTS VII, a juried retrospective of the Foundation’s INSIGHTS II-VI collections, will be shown in Palm Beach on January 14 at The Surovek Gallery. The jury of major art collectors, gallerists and artists chose 20 grantee artists and six honorable mention artists, all of whom had been awarded grants by the Foundation.
Grace Schwartz, Brian Gillham and Andrea McDowell
Dr. Jamie Pasquale and Marc Pasquale
Janet and Steve Anixter
The artists from INSIGHTS VI and those from the previous exhibitions have generously donated their works to the Foundation’s Permanent Exhibition Collection. Now comprising more than 150 pieces, including paintings, photographs, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics and textiles, the Permanent Collection will be the basis of traveling exhibitions to give voice to artists with Bipolar Disorder around the nation.
Matt Parks, Michael Parker, and Kevin Gancarz
Kelly Mathews, Barb Stone, Steve Stone
Molly Shah, Elizabeth Betten, and Anita Shastri
The annual Bipolar Medical Briefing Luncheon, anticipated yearly for the wealth of information shared and the combined beauty of the flowers, menu and tablecloths that Joyce Sang chooses, has been announced for this coming May 7th. Janet Wozniak, MD from MGH/Harvard and John Walkup, MD from Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago are the panelists.
The butterfly pins at last year’s Medical Briefing, part of a signature series designed by Joyce Sang.
For further information about The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundation visit: ryanlichtsangbipolarfoundation.org
Photos by Clare Britt
Author’s photo by Jessica Tampas
