Staff Artists
Heather J. Buggee, Founder, Executive & Creative Director
Heather is a graduate of the Graphic Arts program of Connecticut Institute of Art, and she also attended Rhode Island School of Design and SUNY Purchase, Heather founded Splashes of Hope in 1996. After an independent study on scholarship in Florence, Italy under maestro modern fresco master Luigi Fallai at Studio Art Centers International, she understood the effect of large murals in public spaces. For over ten years Heather has been dedicated to cultivating the organization through programs and projects, designing and painting murals for local and distant facilities.
Contact Heather at heather@splashesofhope.org.
Stephanie Condra, Assistant Art Director & Program Coordinator
A member of Splashes of Hope's team of volunteer artists since 2002, Stephanie joined the organization as a full-time member in May of 2008. She graduated from New York University with a BA concentrated in Therapeutic Art and Alternative Methods in Healing, which she is delighted to be able to practically apply in her work at Splashes of Hope.
Contact Stephanie at stephanie@splashesofhope.org.
Frank Bandiero, Mural Artist and Installation Expert
Frank worked as a freelance mural artist prior to being employed full-time with Splashes of Hope. With five years of experience in the picture frame industry, Frank is logically responsible for the art installations and framing expertise within the organization. His whimsical painting style connects with people of all ages.
Spotlight Volunteer Artists
Linda Alfin
Lisa-Jude Andujar
Lynwood Bohm
Catherine Brown
Sarah Buggee
Allie Caminiti
Robin Clark
Chirs Corridore
Rick Daly
Diana Daino
Eleanor Duncker
Rich Feminella
Brian Fiedler
Ben Forthman
Hali Garber
Jaki Garcia
Beth Lipson
Liz Macchio
Kristy Milazzo
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Mike Mirabella
Maggie & Brigid Murray
Bill Oxios
William Pardue
Emily Pavacic
Sheauwei Pidd
Doug Reina
Sandy Romano
Kate Schwarting
Megan Seal
Nicole Semel
Andrew Silver
Leslie Sim
Frank Sofo
Amanda Vigilante
Suzannah Weiss
Debra Wells
Colin Wilke
Jessica Zeller
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Sarah Buggee, freelance mural artist, with her donated artwork for the Annual Splashes of Hope Gala in 2007. Sarah began her apprenticeship with mom Heather when she was 10 years old, and has worked with the creative team and volunteered for events since the inception of the Splashes of Hope mission.
Catherine Brown Catherine has been a volunteer for Splashes of Hope since 2005, when her first artistic assignment was to help with the mural at the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island. She painted beautiful birds with incredible attention to detail, and used the tiniest little brushes we've ever seen!
Since then, she's helped secure sponsorship through Estee Lauder for the murals at United Cerebral Palsy Houses in Central Islip where Catherine also lended her artistic hand. Through her contacts at Make-A-Wish where she has been volunteering for 25 years, she also introduced Splashes of Hope to Robert J. Bigler, the chair of Make-A-Wish national board (pictured above between Catherine and Heather).
Catherine Brown attended the original site visit to UNM in Albuquerque to assess the designated areas to be "Splashed" and helped create the uplifting focal points of hot air balloons for the Children's Heart Center. Mr. Bigler sponsored this project as a celebration of the life of his wife Gail Bigler.
She and her husband Russ have generously donated their time and talents and have helped us "Splash" the first Florida facility, at the Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples.
(Pictured above) Marci Sanders, Heather Buggee, Catherine Brown and Sandy Romano
Thanks to Southwest Airlines for providing the flights, and Benjamin Moore for donating the paints for this special project!
