The Art of Saying Goodbye
/By Liane Jones, bca@burleith.org
Gail Henry, artist Linda Button, Sam Francis, and Lenore Rubino.
Last month, just after Gail Henry and Sam Francis locked in a contract to sell their recently remodeled T Street home, they invited neighbors, family, and friends to a formal goodbye party.
LiANE JONES, BCA PRESIDENT ERIC LANGENBACHER, and LENORE RUBINO.
Gail has lived in Burleith for over 37 years. She raised a family and retired in this house, but finally decided that the stairs had become too much for them on a daily basis. After finding a new house in Bethesda, she and Sam decided to renovate their current home before putting it on the market. They viewed its blank walls as a perfect canvas to display the artwork of Gail’s good friend Linda Button and her fellow artists Songmi Heart and Judy Gilbert Levy. Thirty of the women’s paintings were hung throughout the house (which sold in less than a week), with the promise of donating a portion of any sales to the Burleith Community Fund (BCF).*
Neighbor and Coldwell Banker Realtor Lenore Rubino sponsored the evening event as she has done for other Burleith listings in the past. A former BCA president, Lenore developed the idea of an art benefit a few years back to help stage empty homes for sale while supporting the BCF and DC-area artists. Although Lenore typically chooses the artists, in this case Gail and Sam were able to recommend their own.
Linda Button's Growin’ Up (charcoal) was one of the works sold.
More than 30 people attended the party, three pieces of art were sold (which netted the BCF almost $300), and we were able to say an official goodbye to Gail and Sam while enjoying refreshments and listening to music by violinist Susan Jones. In addition to friends and neighbors, guests included representatives from the British International School of Washington and the newly opened Hop, Cask & Barrel, which donated wine.
Although we are sad to see Gail and Sam leave, this was a wonderful way to say goodbye. Rumor has it that a nice family of three are the new owners.
*The Burleith Community Fund is the not-for-profit arm of the BCA. The BCF strengthens the community by promoting charitable activities, cultural enrichment, community service, and environmental improvements.
We (acrylic on canvas) by Songmi heart.