TEDx Santa Barbara: Suicide Awareness Event PSA
What follows is a transcription of a PSA airing on KCSB informing the public about Artiste Winery and Dead Poets Foundation’s partnering for a suicide awareness event on September 9th and 10th.
A Special Presentation of TEDxSantaBarbara Discusses Suicide and Mental Health During Times of COVID with Actress and Foundation Co-Founder Mariel Hemingway.
During these unprecedented times of the Covid-19 Pandemic, many individuals are struggling with depression and are finding it challenging to maintain a stable mental health state. As Suicide Prevention Week approaches on September 6 – 12, 2020, Jeannette Michels, Executive Director of Dead Poets Foundation, has teamed with Artiste Winery and Studio owners Anna and Bion Rice to produce events that support those in crises and at risk for suicide.
On Wednesday, September 9, 2020, TEDxSantaBarbara Making Waves: Conversations with Influencers and Disruptors presents a special episode: Lives at Stake: Suicide and Mental Health During COVID with special guest Mariel Hemingway. Mariel comes from a well-known family that has publicly suffered from mental illness and suicide. The current pandemic has sent our world onto its proverbial side. In the state of California alone, more people have suffered at the hands of depression and suicide attempts even more than the coronavirus. As a result of COVID-19, the quarantine, alienation, and isolation have drummed up a significant increase in pain and cases of relapse.
The second evening, Thursday, September 10, 2020, will present a live broadcast at the newly created Gallery Space inside Artiste Winery & Studio in Los Olivos, California, in partnership with Dead Poets Foundation. In support of the Foundation, winemaker and owner Bion Rice has produced three new wines for the Artiste September release, featuring the art of one of Dead Poets Foundation’s founding members, artist Nicola Carpinelli. The custom wine label artwork honors Ernest Hemingway, Margaux Hemingway and musician Chris Cornell, all victims of suicide. The September limited edition wines and art pieces support Dead Poets Foundation and Suicide Prevention Week in conjunction with this intimate launch. Proceeds from wine sales and artwork will benefit Dead Poets Foundation and Artiste Club Members will receive this limited edition of wines for their September club shipment. The Rices will be joined by speakers Foundation Executive Director Jeannette Michels along with co-founders Mariel Hemingway and Nicola Carpinelli, who will discuss his art and clinical psychologist Brian Satt, Ph.D. The event is supported by ForFriends Inn and HC2 Productions.
Mariel Hemingway is passionate about the project, stating, “The vital attention to the needs of our fellow citizens is as necessary now as ever before. I am very proud that this event coincides with National Suicide Awareness Month in conjunction with the fabulous Artiste Tasting Studio and Winery in Los Olivos. Artiste’s dedication to the artist is especially poignant for us at Dead Poets Foundation as our founder, Nicola Carpinelli, has devoted his genius to expression through painting. Nicola’s stunning painting of my grandfather captured my heart with its poetry. I thank the public for being a part of our event and thank everyone, especially for recognizing that we are all in this life together. 1+1 = Never Alone”
Anna Rice, Creative Director and Art Curator of Artiste is moved about the partnership between her family’s winery and Dead Poets Foundation. “Sometimes the stars align and the universe brings like-hearted, creative-souled and deeply purposeful people together when the time is right. This is how I describe the relationship and connection between Artiste Winery & Studio and Dead Poets Foundation.” Her husband and partner Bion Rice–Winemaker and Master-Blender for Artiste–describes his creative process in blending these selections: “One of the cool things about designing my own labels is I can connect with the art more deeply,” states Bion Rice. “In this case I found that there was an underlying color that really captured me and I decided to use it for the wax for all three bottles. I wanted the pinkish-burgundy hue to be the common thread that ties the three artists together as a symbol of their underlying connection to one another. Regarding the blends, I decided to blend three lots of wine in three different ways, again showcasing that they are VERY different people, made up of the same human stuff we all are, just blended differently.”
This event aims to raise awareness during National Suicide Prevention Week and present one way the public can help during times of COVID19 through Dead Poets Foundation support.
For more information on how to help or to learn about resources, visit: