Quogue Artist Helps Raise Awareness for American Heart Association

Candyce Brokaw of Quogue, recently participated in the American Heart Association’s HeART of the Matter art auction in Uniondale where artists were asked to create a piece of art depicting what the heart means to them.

Brokaw created a piece called “Cracked,” which was displayed with a collection of other work by Long Island artists.

Brokaw, who has a family history of cardiovascular disease, said “Cracked” is dedicated to her parents.  Her father, she said, died after suffering several heart attacks, and her mother suffered a stroke.

“It’s a major life changer,” said Brokaw.  “It’s important to understand how to help ourselves. Get checked out, don’t smoke, exercise and eat healthy. Realize you are at risk and there are preventions.”

An artist since 1993 and founder and director of Survivors Art Foundation, Brokaw said “Cracked” is a piece of art that was made as “stream of consciousness with a stark reality of the disease that grabs your attention.”