FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 37
vschneps@gmail.com
When we acquired
Dan’s Papers, which
serves the East End
of Long Island, I didn’t anticipate
how much fun I would
have meeting so many people in
worlds I didn’t know!
When I arrived seven weeks
ago, my friend Todd Shapiro
brought me to a Power Breakfast
run by John Catsimatidis. Th ere,
I was introduced to the world of
the Two Forks — the North
Fork spans from Riverhead to
Orient Point and the South
Fork from Westhampton to
Montauk.
When my son Josh and I took
the reins of Dan’s Papers, we
met with many of the leading
chefs and winery owners in the
coverage area thanks to Donny
Evans. Th ey expressed their
needs to bring people to the
region during the quiet months
of January to March and wanted
to make the area a go-to destination,
bringing people from
around the region.
Having seen the success of
the painted Cow Parade in New
York City a number of years ago,
I thought the idea of a “Driveby
Sculpture Exhibit” would be
a COVID-safe experience that
could run through the villages.
We would have sculptures
placed in the villages near stores
and restaurants and, as a bonus,
we would host a monthly drawing
for visitors who would take
selfi es with the sculptures and
win dinner-for-two at restaurants
on the East End. A map
will be designed to guide people
to where the exhibits are in
the villages.
When I met Lou Meisel, a
world-class art dealer, at his
Sagaponack home and saw his
personal sculpture garden, I fell
in love!
Lou asked me if I’d like to
meet another world-class sculptor
who lives on 10 acres in the
same town. So, off I went to meet
Hans Van de Bovenkamp, who
was born in the Netherlands but
has made his home here for 40
years.
As I drove up the long driveway,
a massive, sculpted stainless
steel gate opened and my
jaw dropped! Its size and intricately
sculpted form was truly
magnifi cent.
Th e property was lined with
Hans and Kevin have collaborated
together for 20 years.
dozens of extraordinary sculptures
stunningly placed on the
grounds and surrounded his
pond.
Hans was not home, but
Kevin Miller, Hans’ collaborator
and assistant of 20 years,
greeted us and took us on a tour
to see the works and workrooms
where they are created.
It took my breath away to see
the tremendous scale of Hans’
work and the way the sculptures
glistened in the sun, changing
color as the light hit them!
For years, Lou has represented
Hans’ work and owns many
himself. Now with Th e “Driveby
Sculpture Exhibit,” the public
will get to see the imaginative
monumental pieces from
his “Farm”!
Victoria’s
DIARY
Victoria
SCHNEPSYUNIS
tweet me @vschneps
Stunning art and
powerful women
Eye-catching sculptures are placed
all throughout Hans’ “Farm.”
Podcasts of
Power Women
This past week, I interviewed two successful women who shared
their journey with me on my Power Women podcast: Pam
Leibman, CEO and president of Th e Corcoran Group, and
Frances Bronet, president of the prestigious Pratt institute.
In their early years, both women lived a nurturing childhood,
which was vital to their future success.
Tune in and listen to the podcasts to learn about their journey
to the top of their fi elds! Th e podcasts can be heard
at podcasts.schnepsmedia.com/podcast/power-women.
Frances Bronet,
President of Pratt
Institute
Pam Liebman,
President and CEO
of Corcoran Group
One of the stunning
sculptures facing
the pond.
/power-women
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