"Mammographic Mandala"
© Edith Borax Morrison

ArtBra New Haven is hosting its first ever art bra auction to benefit the Breast Center at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven on October 9, 2011. The auction takes place at the Omni Hotel New Haven and features an art-bra runway show, benefit auction, and Sunday brunch and takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets must be purchased on the website by October 3, 2011--there will be no tickets available at the door. Tickets are available individually and by the table.

Client, visionary artist, and breast cancer survivor Edith Borax Morrison has contributed several art bras as well as two of her drawings for the auction. Our own Lys Guillorn has contributed a bra that includes vintage millinery flowers that was inspired by Danbury's hatting history. Guillorn's bra is in honor of her grandmothers, one who is currently being treated for breast cancer, and the other, who was always crafting for a cause.

From the website: "ArtBra-New Haven is the expression of the community of survivors, supporters, and artists, in celebration of and thanks to the wonderful people who helped get us through the odyssey of breast cancer. Bruce Barber, host of NPR's “Yale Cancer Center Answers”, has graciously agreed to be our MC and Auctioneer. We will also be honoring our own Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for her groundbreaking work on the “No Drive-Through Mastectomies” legislation, which has helped so many post-operative patients.

Eileen Kaplan, noted author of Laughter Is The Breast Medicine, will be one of our survivor models. Eileen will also be available at a book signing following the fashion show."

Organizers Gaye Hyre and Serena Hatch have collected around 40 art bra and fine art donations from area artists and inspired individuals. The auction will benefit a fund that offers financial assistance to women (and men) who would otherwise have difficulty paying for their breast cancer treatment.

The Omni Hotel New Haven is located at 155 Temple St., New Haven, CT.