The American Dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for  each “.

James Truslow Adams, The Epic of America, 1931

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I’m writing to invite your participation in my art project: 

this entails your writing one email to show how the revolution of information availability via global technology profoundly affects the world in all dimensions.

The relevancy of art to life, the importance of education, and preservation of open space are the underlying principles of the project (Re)collecting an American's Dream (acronym READ): Gissa Bu, part of my work in progress as an artist in residence in Shinnecock. This work documents the development of land across the road from our home/studio Carriage/Gatehouse in Shinnecock Hills. As my point of view has evolved from one of an observer to active participant in efforts to save a Norwegian Lodge (Gissa Bu) from demolition, to preserve this unique site for open space described as “a snapshot in time depicting Shinnecock Hills as it once was.”

READ calls for:

-  acquisition of the 13 acre estate Gissa Bu by the Town of Southampton

-  restoration and use by an arts or educational organization

The READ committee is composed of Curator Kathleen Goncharov; Historians Mary Cummings, Richard Barons and John Strong; and Preservation/Conservation Advocates Charla Bolton, Richard Casabianca and Scott Carlin. With the counsel of Gissa Bu Owner and Developer Robert Romeo; Unkechaug Nation Chief Harry Wallace; Shinnecock Nation Task Force; Preservation Consultant Zach Studenroth; Historic Construction Management Corp; Southampton Town Landmarks Committee; Southampton Town Historian; SPLIA ; and Southampton Historical Museum.

The importance of your taking time to write an email to the Southampton Town Supervisor and Board - today or tomorrow - cannot be overstated. Perhaps one cannot change the world -  but through  todays internet communications technology we can effect change in this one community.

With kind regards,

Hope

Shinnecock Hills