the splash team
Splashes of Hope was founded in 1996
Heather Buggee, Founder and CEO Creative Endeavors Only
Heather Buggee (pictured with daughter Sarah) founded Splashes of Hope with a vision to uplift medical environments. Inspired by an experience with a hospitalized friend, the idea was to create an atmosphere conducive to the healing process. Heather graduated from the Connecticut Institute of Art, then went on to and study fresco painting post-grad in Florence at the SACI Studio Art College International on scholarship with the United Nations International Education Fund. She works directly with volunteers and freelance artists to create site-specific artwork to uplift hospital environments, shelters and neighborhoods. "Any place that needs healing."
Heather Buggee, Founder and CEO Creative Endeavors Only
Heather Buggee (pictured with daughter Sarah) founded Splashes of Hope with a vision to uplift medical environments. Inspired by an experience with a hospitalized friend, the idea was to create an atmosphere conducive to the healing process. Heather graduated from the Connecticut Institute of Art, then went on to and study fresco painting post-grad in Florence at the SACI Studio Art College International on scholarship with the United Nations International Education Fund. She works directly with volunteers and freelance artists to create site-specific artwork to uplift hospital environments, shelters and neighborhoods. "Any place that needs healing."
Jimmy Knapp, CONSIGLIERE and Heather's husband
Jimmy Knapp retired at a young age and volunteers full-time with Splashes of Hope as an artist, ambassador and a driving force with everything Splashes. Jimmy is a superstar in the Splash World, always on the move and one step ahead in every way! He won a Quarantini award for driving across America in the Splashmobile (in the height of the pandemic) to distribute and install the focal points and mural masterpieces painted by the Splash Team in their home studios during isolation. His background as a surveyor helps site assessment for facilities on the Waiting List. Whatever the project, with his family of sixteen siblings,"There's a Knapp for that!"
Jimmy Knapp retired at a young age and volunteers full-time with Splashes of Hope as an artist, ambassador and a driving force with everything Splashes. Jimmy is a superstar in the Splash World, always on the move and one step ahead in every way! He won a Quarantini award for driving across America in the Splashmobile (in the height of the pandemic) to distribute and install the focal points and mural masterpieces painted by the Splash Team in their home studios during isolation. His background as a surveyor helps site assessment for facilities on the Waiting List. Whatever the project, with his family of sixteen siblings,"There's a Knapp for that!"
The Splash Team
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Ed Courtney
Volunteer Artist |
Kirk Larsen
Mural Artist and Volunteer |
Tiffany Larusso
Mural Artist and Volunteer |
Jo D'Alanzo
Mural Artist and Volunteer |
Dorothy McPartland
Mural Artist and Volunteer |
FLORIDA SPLASH CHAPTER
Catherine Brown, Co-President
Mural Artist + Advisory Board Member
Catherine holds degrees in Fine Arts and Advertising Design from Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island. Her husband Russ, former owner of Brown Builder's Supply in New Hyde Park, NY, has a liberal arts degree from Hollywood College in Hollywood, Florida.
They had the good fortune of meeting Heather Buggee at Coindre Hall in 2006, where their youngest daughter was celebrating her wedding. They have been Splashes of Hope supporters and volunteers since then! Catherine is also an honorary board member at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, where she previously served as Board Chair, and in other board capacities. She has been a Make-A-Wish volunteer for over 30 years. In addition, she served on the board of Newborns in Need, a Huntington based charity which provided essentials to neonatals.
Although Catherine and Russ moved to Naples, Florida in 2013, they remain active Splash volunteers and have spearheaded the growth of Splashes of Hope in Florida, both sponsoring and painting on local projects.
Mural Artist + Advisory Board Member
Catherine holds degrees in Fine Arts and Advertising Design from Hofstra University in Hempstead, Long Island. Her husband Russ, former owner of Brown Builder's Supply in New Hyde Park, NY, has a liberal arts degree from Hollywood College in Hollywood, Florida.
They had the good fortune of meeting Heather Buggee at Coindre Hall in 2006, where their youngest daughter was celebrating her wedding. They have been Splashes of Hope supporters and volunteers since then! Catherine is also an honorary board member at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, where she previously served as Board Chair, and in other board capacities. She has been a Make-A-Wish volunteer for over 30 years. In addition, she served on the board of Newborns in Need, a Huntington based charity which provided essentials to neonatals.
Although Catherine and Russ moved to Naples, Florida in 2013, they remain active Splash volunteers and have spearheaded the growth of Splashes of Hope in Florida, both sponsoring and painting on local projects.
Donna M. Kreutz, Co-President
Donna’s career path has taken her from advertising to telecommunications, corporate training, business analysis, healthcare, banking and to the travel industry where she currently enjoys her role as a villa agent for SunVillas, a company that represents more than 160 luxury rental villas in Jamaica. In addition to her “day jobs”, Donna has regularly applied her experience and talents to a variety of charitable organizations including serving as a board member and President of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley in California. Donna is married to a professional artist. They met as art students and often collaborate on art related projects. Donna joined the Arts in Healthcare program at Lee Health as a volunteer when the couple relocated to Fort Myers, FL in 2012. Her artistic abilities and enthusiasm have been enjoyed and appreciated by Splashes of Hope since 2013.
Donna’s career path has taken her from advertising to telecommunications, corporate training, business analysis, healthcare, banking and to the travel industry where she currently enjoys her role as a villa agent for SunVillas, a company that represents more than 160 luxury rental villas in Jamaica. In addition to her “day jobs”, Donna has regularly applied her experience and talents to a variety of charitable organizations including serving as a board member and President of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley in California. Donna is married to a professional artist. They met as art students and often collaborate on art related projects. Donna joined the Arts in Healthcare program at Lee Health as a volunteer when the couple relocated to Fort Myers, FL in 2012. Her artistic abilities and enthusiasm have been enjoyed and appreciated by Splashes of Hope since 2013.
LOUIS X. AMATO, Vice President
Born in White Plains, NY in 1950, Mr. Amato received a B.A. Cum Laude from St. Louis University received a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Amato moved to Naples, Florida in 1976. He currently practices law in Bonita Springs, Florida and is an Adjunct Professor of Bankruptcy Law at Ave Maria School of Law.
Mr. Amato was charter president of the Collier County Better Business Bureau and served for eight years as a Commissioner of the City of Naples Airport Authority. Mr. Amato is also a private pilot with tailwheel and seaplane endorsements. Mr. Amato is also an avid painter and, where possible, devotes his life to making Catherine Brown happy.
Born in White Plains, NY in 1950, Mr. Amato received a B.A. Cum Laude from St. Louis University received a J.D. Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami School of Law. Mr. Amato moved to Naples, Florida in 1976. He currently practices law in Bonita Springs, Florida and is an Adjunct Professor of Bankruptcy Law at Ave Maria School of Law.
Mr. Amato was charter president of the Collier County Better Business Bureau and served for eight years as a Commissioner of the City of Naples Airport Authority. Mr. Amato is also a private pilot with tailwheel and seaplane endorsements. Mr. Amato is also an avid painter and, where possible, devotes his life to making Catherine Brown happy.
Jerry Fox, Florida Splasher
“I am an Army Veteran. Drafted in March, 1968, I received my basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then infantry training at Tigerland, Fort Polk, Louisiana. I returned to the US in October, 1969 and was discharged from the Army 5 months early at the age of 22. I had many close calls but was one of the fortunate ones who made it home in one piece.
Retired now, I enjoy painting and am grateful to have such a hobby in my life. Painting for Splashes of Hope brings new meaning to my work, especially as I create paintings that will eventually be hung in Veterans Hospitals. My sincere hope is that my paintings will bring comfort and tranquility to many veterans still receiving medical attention at our VA clinics across the country. A recipient of VA care myself, it is truly a great privilege for me to be able to work with Splashes of Hope and help make someone’s day a little brighter. God Bless all our Vets and may I say “thanks to all of you for your bravery, patriotism, and service to our great country.”
“I am an Army Veteran. Drafted in March, 1968, I received my basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then infantry training at Tigerland, Fort Polk, Louisiana. I returned to the US in October, 1969 and was discharged from the Army 5 months early at the age of 22. I had many close calls but was one of the fortunate ones who made it home in one piece.
Retired now, I enjoy painting and am grateful to have such a hobby in my life. Painting for Splashes of Hope brings new meaning to my work, especially as I create paintings that will eventually be hung in Veterans Hospitals. My sincere hope is that my paintings will bring comfort and tranquility to many veterans still receiving medical attention at our VA clinics across the country. A recipient of VA care myself, it is truly a great privilege for me to be able to work with Splashes of Hope and help make someone’s day a little brighter. God Bless all our Vets and may I say “thanks to all of you for your bravery, patriotism, and service to our great country.”
Bill Kreutz
With nearly photographic recall for things that interest him, and blessed with artistic genes, Bill was encouraged to draw and paint as far back as he can remember. His natural talents shone through, from crayon drawings on the dining room wallpaper to his design and exhibit work for numerous corporations and prestigious venues, including the National Aeronautics and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. His formal art education came from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy School of Professional Art. Bill is a fulltime professional artist and has been a faculty member of the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs since relocating to Southwest Florida with his wife, Donna, in 2012. He has been a supporter and contributor to Splashes of Hope since 2013.
With nearly photographic recall for things that interest him, and blessed with artistic genes, Bill was encouraged to draw and paint as far back as he can remember. His natural talents shone through, from crayon drawings on the dining room wallpaper to his design and exhibit work for numerous corporations and prestigious venues, including the National Aeronautics and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. His formal art education came from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Ivy School of Professional Art. Bill is a fulltime professional artist and has been a faculty member of the Centers for the Arts Bonita Springs since relocating to Southwest Florida with his wife, Donna, in 2012. He has been a supporter and contributor to Splashes of Hope since 2013.
Leah Pertot
Mural Artist and Volunteer
Laura Pertot
Splash Ambassador
Natalie Chaviano
Pre-Med Student at Florida Gulf Coast University
Rachel Mane , Artist
Lisa Greene Mane, Artist
Mural Artist and Volunteer
Laura Pertot
Splash Ambassador
Natalie Chaviano
Pre-Med Student at Florida Gulf Coast University
Rachel Mane , Artist
Lisa Greene Mane, Artist
Interested in starting your own Splash Club or joining a Splash Team?
Please email us at info@splashesofhope.org
Please email us at info@splashesofhope.org
Boston Chaptah!
Founded by Elizabeth Schafer
Artist, Volunteer Coordinator and Innovation Officer
Liz interned with the Splash Team on Long Island during the Summer of 2019. After years of dedication learning the process of making a splash, Liz has become an integral part of the organization. While promoting the Splashes of Hope mission, Liz has inspired artists to join the Splash Team to brighten the world with art. The Splash Club Liz founded while a student at Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston continues to thrive and transform Boston facilities "From Clinical to Colorful."
Founded by Elizabeth Schafer
Artist, Volunteer Coordinator and Innovation Officer
Liz interned with the Splash Team on Long Island during the Summer of 2019. After years of dedication learning the process of making a splash, Liz has become an integral part of the organization. While promoting the Splashes of Hope mission, Liz has inspired artists to join the Splash Team to brighten the world with art. The Splash Club Liz founded while a student at Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston continues to thrive and transform Boston facilities "From Clinical to Colorful."
Elizabeth Schafer
I grew up in a tight knit community near the bay on the south shore of Massapequa with my Mom, Dad, and two sisters Grace (19) and Gwyn (12). Summers were spent out on the water clamming, fishing, crabbing, swimming, and exploring. Nights were filled with games, campfires, and playing outside with neighbors. (The bond with my neighbors has continued to be a constant in my life and my relationship with my neighborhood has strengthened as we navigated rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy together.) These endeavors, as well as my experience growing up with albinism have largely shaped me into the person I am today.
Albinism is a genetic condition that causes me to have a lack of pigment in my hair, skin and eyes and therefore causes me to be legally blind. I have usable vision and see best very close up to things. From a young age my parents encouraged me to never say I can’t and instead ask “how can I?”. The simple question of ‘how can I?” has inspired my drive to problem solve and overcome challenges, as well as informed my practice as an artist. Art is a tool I use for communicating, creative problem solving, and community building.
Recently, I have been working on a series of acrylic paintings that show how and what I see from different distances. Everyone always asks me “how do you see?”, but I never have a good response. Since I never had “perfect vision” I have no way of comparing my vision to someone with “normal vision”. Additionally, the numbers doctors use to quantify vision are hard to communicate and do not account for several factors that affect my vision such as eye fatigue. This art project has provided me the opportunity to show people how I authentically see and has generated meaningful conversations about how we understand each other's vision. In addition to creating art projects that explore vision related to albinism, I am also a Junior Advisory Council (JAC) member for the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH). As a JAC member, I advocate for and implement programs to support people in the albinism community.
Beyond creating art and volunteering for NOAH, I am also currently finishing my degree in Art Education at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design where I am student teaching in a Boston Public High School. I was drawn to art education because of the way my teachers, especially my art teachers, both at Massapequa Public Schools and Isabelle Rapacci\uolo from The Tiny Artist, positively impacted me. I hope I can connect with and positively impact my students just as they have done for me. While at MassArt, I have worked as a MassArt Volunteer Opportunities Coordinator and as the Pioneer and Lead Peer Mentor for MassArt MAICEI, a program which allows students labeled as having severe intellectual disabilities to take part in the college experience.
Although in recent years a large portion of my time has been spent in Boston, I always look forward to coming home to Long Island. Whenever I have the chance, I love getting back to the same activities that shaped me into who I am. I still love exploring out on the bay with the same neighbors I grew up with and am so lucky to have a great and tight knit community to support me through my endeavors.
During the summer after my sophomore year at MassArt, I started volunteering for Splashes of Hope, a non-profit organization that transforms the environment of hospitals, communities, and healthcare centers with custom-designed hand painted murals. I fell in love with the mission and community of people involved with Splashes of Hope and have been volunteering with the organization ever since. In addition to volunteering as an artist with Splashes of Hope, I have served as their Volunteer Manager, started a Splashes of Hope chapter in Boston and created a Splashes of Hope Club at MassArt. I am so grateful to be a part of the Splashes community and encourage others to join the welcoming, hard working, and creative group of people that make Splashes of Hope what it is today.
Our Team |
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Grace Barrett
Mural Artist and Volunteer Sandy Caracciolo Mural Artist and Volunteer Ethan Chang Splash Ambassador + Volunteer Natalie Chudecki
Volunteer Artist Navya Gautam Volunteer Artist Nicole Manga Franz Volunteer Artist Niyati Malhorta Volunteer Artist Olivia Belling Volunteer Artist Pat Forie Volunteer Artist Patricia Prelusky Volunteer Artist Peter Cuccio Volunteer Artist Linda Watson Volunteer Artist Julia Jenkins Volunteer Artist Emma Dedora Volunteer Artist Christina Hanson Volunteer Artist Amanda Murphey Mural Artist and Volunteer Linda Chianese Volunteer Artist Kimberly Crapanzo Mural Artist and Volunteer Oksana Danzinger Mural Artist and Volunteer Dave Gussaroff Splash Star Liaison Pat Forie Mural Artist and Volunteer Lisa Golub Mural Artist and Volunteer Barbara Wagner Splash Ambassador + Volunteer Kathy Engel Splash Ambassador + Volunteer Ali Spagnolo Mural Artist and Volunteer Alison Mosher Mural Artist and Volunteer Cathy Raphaelson Volunteer Artist Chelsea Gussaroff Social Media Christie Brand Volunteer Artist Dahlia Fischer Volunteer Artist Declan Hill Intern Deidre Greben Volunteer Artist Doris Caifa Volunteer Artist Elvia Reynolds Volunteer Artist Emily Eisen Volunteer Artist Janet Marmol Volunteer Artist Gabe & Lauren Kan Volunteer Artist s Genevieve Jezick Volunteer Artist Jackie Mink Ambassador and Paint Brush Fairy John Schenman Volunteer Artist John Clancy Volunteer Artist Joyce Ettinger Volunteer Artist Julizza Photographer Kellie Burrus Volunteer Artist Kelly Hinz Volunteer Artist Kristiane DiMaulo Artist Intern, WWHS Manuel Canales Artist Intern, WWHS Liz Burke Volunteer Artist Tarri Nalbach Volunteer Artist Theresa Scrocco Volunteer Artist Tina Pappalardo Volunteer Artist Vincent Marinacchio Communications Volunteer Ying Zhong Artist Intern |
Alex Miller-Hensen
Photographer Jack Miller-Hensen Tie-Dye Audrey Soto Mural Artist and Volunteer Elizabeth Neiland Mural Artist and Volunteer Karen Noack Mural Artist and Volunteer Sandy Romano Mural Artist and Volunteer Mariana Romay Mural Artist and Volunteer Eileen Sleckman Mural Artist and Volunteer Karen Smith Mural Artist and Volunteer Carol Hough Mural Artist and Volunteer Paul Schrynemakers Mural Artist and Volunteer Ally Schupler Communications Volunteer Ed Courtney Mural Artist and Volunteer Syeda Ahmed Mural Artist and Volunteer Alessia Amato Mural Artist and Volunteer Barbara Truicko Mural Artist and Volunteer Carly Corrente Mural Artist and Volunteer Carly Bemiss Volunteer Artist Cyndie Bader Mural Artist and Volunteer Christina Hanson Volunteer Artist Diane Hawkins Volunteer Artist Dominique Walker Event Volunteer Jess Mann Volunteer Artist Don Olsen Official Splash Musician Elizabeth Schafer Volunteer Artist Elizabeth Hipperling Volunteer Artist Heather Merrigan Volunteer Artist Syed Inaya Volunteer Artist Irina Gershengoren Volunteer Artist Jaden & Jared Jacino Volunteer Artist s Jahnavi Zondervan Volunteer Artist Rick Daly Volunteer Mural Artist & Graphics Janet Marmol Volunteer Artist Jody Cohen Volunteer Artist Jody Leibrock Volunteer Artist Jordan Logue Photographer Janet Marmol Volunteer Artist Janet Marmol Volunteer Artist Lori Huie Volunteer Artist Lynne Portnoy Volunteer Artist Marina Tedesco Volunteer Artist Marirose Fusco Volunteer Artist Marjorie Pillar Volunteer Artist Mayuri Dharne Volunteer Artist Melissa Bernstein Volunteer Artist Michelle Kreinsen Volunteer Artist Mike Franzese Volunteer Artist Rikki Chastes Volunteer Artist Ron Becker Volunteer Artist Ronna Kurash Volunteer Artist Ryan Pagano Volunteer Artist Sophia Lin Volunteer Artist Susan Schafer Volunteer Artist |
