NEW CANAAN, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On September 25, Rosie, the popular Elm Street breakfast and lunch eatery in New Canaan, CT, in partnership with The Meeting House, will present a unique exhibition of the works of Suzanne Sunshine, an emerging NYC-based artist. This event is a joining of three entrepreneurs combining their passion for art, philanthropy, and food to raise funds for The Meeting House, a program that develops emotional and social resilience in children.
“Suzanne Sunshine at Rosie” will be an exhibit of more than 30 paintings by Suzanne Sunshine benefiting the philanthropy of Pound Ridge-based Paula Resnick. The Meeting House uses a “platform of play” to help children overcome social-emotional challenges in developing relationships. Sunshine will also donate 20% of online sales from the exhibition at Rosie to The Meeting House.
Rose Bonura, owner and chef of Rosie, has supported local and emerging artists by providing art exhibition space for more than 10 years. This will be the fourth benefit art exhibition at Rosie. Joanne “JoJo” Keane, artist/curator at Rosie, has worked with Rosie for seven years developing relationships with emerging artists to help their growth. Rosie & JoJo's intention is to create an inspiring atmosphere that supports artists who are passionate about creating. Bonura, Resnick and Sunshine’s friendship is based on shared social entrepreneurial values and experiences in motherhood.
The event is the third of a new social venture created by two members of New York’s most enterprising real estate families -- Paula Resnick and Suzanne Sunshine. Their families’ shared passion for both business and philanthropy became very personal when Paula’s daughter and Suzanne’s son were diagnosed with conditions that made it more difficult for them to communicate with other children. Paula Resnick created The Meeting House five years ago for children who face a range of issues from social anxiety to relational awkwardness. In 2014, Suzanne Sunshine, owner of Sunshine & Associates, a successful NYC commercial real estate firm specializing in nonprofits and philanthropies, rediscovered her passion for painting and combined it with her passion for helping nonprofits by providing her artwork as a fundraising vehicle.
The new social venture between Resnick’s Meeting House Foundation and Suzanne Sunshine’s artwork has turned out to be a win-win-win! The first exhibition at Olive & Bette’s generated tens of thousands of additional revenue for the retailer as well as more than $5,000 dollars in artwork sold. As a result, The Meeting House received both a donation of 15% on all clothing sales during the event as well as 20% of the profit on art sales. Even the children-run bake sale in front of Olive & Bette’s was a success, with $600 dollars raised and a huge confidence builder for the children of The Meeting House.
The Rosie event is the third event for Sunshine (the first was at Theory Upper West Side in Manhattan) and the second partnership between Resnick and Sunshine that brings together art, business, and philanthropy to create profit for both children and businesses.
All paintings at the exhibit are also for sale at www.suzannesunshine.com, with the a portion of the proceeds helping to fund The Meeting House.
