When members of the Development Council for Inova Mount Vernon Hospital got together last year to talk about the 20th anniversary of the Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Program [also known as Cardiac Rehab], they wanted to do something special for the department. Money was needed not only for equipment, but for patient education as well. Since they were talking about the heart, Piper Dankworth remembered somebody saying, "wouldn't it be nice to do something with art?"
Thus, the concept of "Art from the Heart" was developed. The committee decided that they would solicit art from local artists for a special event featuring a silent auction. While the committee was initially planning the event for last year, they decided to wait until the spring so that they'd have more time to plan it.
Dankworth said, "It all fell into place, it was a good way for local artists to be recognized. It seemed like it [Mount Vernon Inn] was a good venue."
Approximately 120 people attended the event, which was held last Sunday. Guests included former rehab patients, artists, Development Council members and members of the community.
Don Cannavaro is not only a well known local artist, but a former rehab patient as well. Cannavaro said that Peg Dunnigan's husband, Tom, suggested that he go to cardiac rehab after he had heart surgery. After talking to Dr. Bruce Tinker, he started the program, and said, "I've never felt better."
Cannavaro donated one of his original lithographs, "Governor's Palace, Williamsburg;" it was one of the more hotly contested pieces, garnering a final bid of almost $600. The Salvador Dali piece, "Triumph of Light," donated by William and Edith Berry, brought in $1,200. Dankworth said that 35 artists donated for the event.
"We didn't want to get too much art the first time; we wanted to see what went and what didn't," said Dankworth, who coordinated the event with Peg Dunnigan.
"The two of us worked well together," said Dankworth.
AS WITH ANY fundraising event, sponsors help raise the coffers. Sponsoring this event were BB&T; Executive Floors; Corbin Company; Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Auxiliary; VW International, Inc.; and RSM McGladrey. Susan Herbst, Vice President and Administrator, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, was at the gala, as were other representatives from the hospital.
Mary Wiseman and Peg Dunnigan greeted guests during the vision lobby reception. Wiseman spent a few minutes playing her role as "Martha and then Dunnigan encouraged everybody to 'go bid.' The final tally is still not in, but Dankworth estimates that the event made more than $42,000.