The money will be used toward rebuilding the Pipersville, Pa., studio of Susan Roseman and James Moon Feehan.
By: Linda Seida
It’s second nature for artists Susan Roseman and James Moon Feehan to give, helping people in the community and aiding their fellow artists.
Now the community is returning the favor, despite having to deal with the cleanup of their flooded homes and businesses. Numerous artists, restaurateurs and other volunteers helped raise $50,000 for the couple. The money will go toward rebuilding their Rose Moon Studio in Pipersville, Pa. The studio was destroyed in December by fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, caused by ashes that initially were thought to be cold.
Most of those who helped out had problems of their own because of the flooding earlier this month.
It comes as no surprise Ms. Roseman wanted to make sure an article about the fund-raiser concentrated not on herself or her husband, but on others.
"They are so used to giving," said Gloria Kosco, an artist from Point Pleasant, Pa., who helped organize the April 10 benefit at the New Hope Eagle Fire Hall. "The idea of receiving was mortifying."
Ms. Roseman, who co-owns the Riverbank Arts gallery in Stockton and teaches art at the Solebury School, volunteers at Neshaminy Manor in Warrington. She also has organized the donation of artworks from regional artists to fund-raisers that benefited the Stockton Borough School and the Lambertville Area Education Foundation.
"Susan expressed that she would like the article to be about the people who worked and those who came in support of she and James," Ms. Kosco said. "How Susie is that!"
The fire destroyed many irreplaceable items, including a large collection of art books. Mr. Feehan had estimated the cost to rebuild, including the roof, windows and trusses, totaled more than $100,000, not including the building’s contents.
The couple received "some assistance" from their insurance company, "albeit not enough," Mr. Feehan said.
Ms. Kosco said several days after the benefit,, "We can rebuild the studio now."
More than 200 persons attended the benefit at a cost of $35 a ticket. They bid on donated artwork, danced, ate dinner and partied for the cause.
Ms. Kosco raised $150 in $1 pledges. She collected the pledges from people who didn’t believe she’d wear a dress. She confessed she hadn’t worn one in about 15 years.
When she attended the benefit in a dress, they paid up. A male contributor raised several hundred dollars more, also by attending in a dress.
To aid the cause, Ms. Kosco made terracotta vases on her pottery wheel, in colors that complemented a variety of fine linen table coverings created by Franca Fusco of Boxwood Design Studio in Pipersville, Pa. Denise Nelson of New Hope donated the flowers.
"The look was impressive," Ms. Kosco said. "The linens and centerpieces were auctioned as sets."
Ms. Roseman and Mr. Feehan have endured through three catastrophic events in less than a year: The fire in December, this month’s flood and the flood last September. How do they cope?
Mr. Feehan, deflecting the concern from himself, said, "There are so many people that are so much worse off."
He noted "a number of homes" in Stockton have large holes in their foundations after the flood this month while Riverbank Arts didn’t suffer as much damage, despite floodwater entering the building.
"It’s going to be all right," he said. "Happily, we’ll be back better than it was before. On that note, it’ll be a positive."
Ms. Roseman said, "You look at other people, you see that you can get through it. You get a lot of support from the community."
When she visits Neshaminy Manor, a nursing home, Mrs. Roseman takes her dog along to visit the residents.
"That puts me in perspective," she said. "There are people there with no families."
Days after the fund-raiser was just a happy memory, Ms. Kosco remained enthusiastic about the goodness shown by volunteers and the generous help received by Ms. Roseman and Mr. Feehan.
"I’m so happy for them, and I’m so happy for the community," Ms. Kosco said. "Everybody pulled together. It was incredible. It was beyond what I expected."
Ms. Kosco said during the benefit, Ms. Roseman "was walking up to people and just melting. She was just overwhelmed."
Among those who donated items, time and talent to the fund-raiser was New Hope Mayor Laurence Keller.
"In between helping people recover from the flood, (he) gave his time as our auctioneer," Ms. Kosco said.
Like Mayor Keller, many of the volunteers were simultaneously dealing with the flood’s aftermath.
Elite Linens of Lambertville, "with 6 feet of water destroying their stock, managed to find 24 tablecloths atop a high shelf for us," Ms. Kosco said. "They had been contacted earlier and had offered to donate the tablecloth rental to our benefit. Can you believe it?"
Other flood victims who turned out to help included Chris Snyder of Snyder Glass, the auction’s chairwoman.
"Her house and art studio were both flooded," Ms. Kosco said. "In between shoveling out silt and pumping out water, she managed to collect and catalog all the auction items. I believe that there were over 250 items. Chris was instrumental in the success of the auction."
Restaurants and merchants also donated generously.
Kristen Meil of Meils Restaurant in Stockton served as Food Committee chairwoman.
Ms. Meil "lost several days of business yet still organized a fabulous buffet," Ms. Kosco said.
In addition, donations of wine came from Phillips Fine Wines of Stockton, which also was flooded. Other donations came from Buckingham Valley Vineyards and New Hope Winery.
Peter Errico of Errico’s Market, a partner in Riverbank Arts, donated food for the benefit.
"The contributions culminating in the success of this event are endless," Ms. Kosco said. "So many artists contributed their best work. Area businesses gave gift certificates. All the area restaurants gave generously."
Donations still are being accepted and are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to Philadelphia Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and mailed to Rebuild the Studio, P.O. Box 502, Plumsteadville, Pa., 18949.