Artists Sought for 'Hearts of Hope' Auction

Interregnum Inc., Finding life after loss, a Montville-based grief support and education 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization is seeking local artists willing to volunteer their talent and services to paint a heart-themed 12-by-12-inch canvas to be auctioned off at its Hearts of Hope Gala, which will be held Sept. 22 at the  from 6 to 9 p.m.

All funds raised will be used to support the nonprofit’s programs. Interregnum’s Hearts of Hope program engages volunteers in the creation and painting of keepsake ceramic hearts, which are gift wrapped and delivered to people who have experienced various types of loss. This includes patients in hospitals, cancer centers and hospices; bereaved family members; and men and women in the military.

To date, more than 25,000 "Hearts of Hope" have been distributed, each accompanied by a hand-written note personalized by the painter. 

This year’s gala will honor Karen Knops, MD, Atlantic Health System’s Medical Director of the Palliative Care Program and of the Atlantic Homecare & Hospice; New York Life Insurance Company, Community Partner of the Year; and artist Joni Jasterzbski, Verona School System Art Teacher.

Artists selected to paint a canvas will be provided with a blank canvas to be painted at their leisure, and a set of general guidelines.

Anyone wishing to paint a canvas should send an email with full contact information to Hearts of Hope program director Susan Macheska, at smmacheska@aol.com by July 15. The painting will need to be completed by Sept. 7.

For more information about the gala, including sponsorship, advertising, ticket sales and silent auction opportunities, contact Bari Adelman, communications director, at b.adelman@interregnum.org.