Category Archives: Events

Hinnemo and Negroponte Featured at Keyes Art

Work by Virva Hinnemo and George Negroponte is currently being shown alongside John Battle at Keyes Art in Sag Harbor. The exhibit, Eyewitness, is on view to the public October 9 – November 28, 2021.

Eyewitness is an exhibit meant to confirm that Modernism is alive and well: art-making immersed in a visual and pictorial language, aspiring to convey meaning with ancient tools. Embedded in these works is a struggle to clarify purpose and the urge to ignore the cheeky posturing of the zeitgeist of the 1960s.

~George Negroponte October 2021

Eyewitness

Opening Reception: Saturday, October 9th, 6-8pm
Open from October 9th – November 28, 2021

Keyes Art Gallery
45 Main Street
At the American Hotel
Sag Harbor, NY

Pictured above: Virva Hinnemo, View from a Tent, 2021, oil on linen.

View more on JulieKeyesArt.com

View on AnitaRogersGallery.com

Jan Cunningham in ‘150 Years of Women at Yale’

Work by Jan Cunningham is currently on view in the exhibition ‘On the Basis of Art: 150 Years of Women at Yale’ at the Yale University Art Gallery in New Haven on view September 10, 2021 – January 9, 2022.

On the Basis of Art: 150 Years of Women at Yale showcases and celebrates the remarkable achievements of an impressive roster of women artists who have graduated from Yale University. Presented on the occasion of two major milestones—the 50th anniversary of coeducation at Yale College and the 150th anniversary of the first women students at the University, who came to study at the Yale School of the Fine Arts when it opened in 1869—the exhibition features works drawn entirely from the collection of the Yale University Art Gallery that span a variety of media, such as paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photography, and video.

The title of the exhibition references the phrase used in the landmark 1972 US federal law Title IX – which declared that no one could be discriminated against “on the basis of sex” in any education program receiving federal financial assistance, and which forced the School of Art to hire full-time female faculty beginning that year. Amid the rise of feminist movements – from women’s suffrage at the turn of the 20th century, to the ERA movement of the mid-20th century, to the #MeToo movement of today – this exhibition asserts the crucial role that women have played in pushing creative boundaries at Yale, and in the art world at large.

The Gallery is open Friday 5 pm – 8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. You may reserve your ticket for the day: https://artgallery.yale.edu/hours-and-directions.

Pictured above: Jan Cunningham, Via Flavia Gioia, Priano, Italy 11 November 2012. On view in On the Basis of Art: 150 Years of Women at Yale.

View more on Yale University Art Gallery

View on AnitaRogersGallery.com

Mark Webber at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art

Artist Mark Webber to be featured in the exhibition, Paste and Cut: Contemporary Sculpture in Plaster, on view at the Lauren Rogers Museum in Laurel, Mississippi August 31 – November 7, 2021.

Visitors to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art are greeted in a lobby richly decorated with golden oak paneling and cork floors. They may not notice that the ornamentation continues above, with a ceiling featuring beautiful plaster work. The design was suggested by Charles J. Watson of the Chicago interior decorating firm Watson and Walton, created by Frederick Mottas, and executed by the French-American master craftsman Léon Herman. It features low relief depictions of flora, fauna, and celestial bodies. In honor of this enchanting adornment, and in a continuation of a series of exhibitions that celebrate how artists are breathing new life into techniques and forms found in centuries-old art and design, the Museum presents this exhibition of works in plaster by contemporary artists Amy Kann, Jedediah Morfit, and Mark Webber. Their works show the effectiveness of utilizing the medium in traditional, conceptual, and abstract forms.

Read the further details about the exhibition on AnitaRogersGallery.com

How to Hire a Nanny: What to Know and How a Nanny Agency Can Help

Hiring a nanny is a huge commitment for a family and one that shouldn’t be entered lightly. British American Household Staffing (BAHS) is here to take the headache out of the entire process by providing personal attention, expert advice, and a roster of thoroughly screened nannies.

Below is a general outline of what to expect when you begin the process of hiring a nanny.

What Nanny Is Best For Your Child(ren) and Lifestyle?

Understanding your family’s specific needs are necessary in order to recognize your perfect nanny. A few questions to consider are:

What are the ages of your children?
Would a nanny specialising in education and tutoring be ideal?
Does your family travel extensively?
Do the children need full-charge care?
Would a high-energy nanny that can keep up with busy schedules be best?
Or would your children thrive with a calm, quiet presence?
Do you employ other staff in your home and need a team player, or a nanny that works best autonomously and knows what to do with little direction?

Beyond the basic nanny duties, many experienced candidates bring further expertise. Depending on your needs and a nanny’s qualifications, your home may benefit from one of the following kinds of nannies:

Full-Time Nanny

The most common kind of nanny is one that works full-time with one family. The nanny’s exact schedule depends on the family, but full-time nannies most often care for the children while the parents are at work and/or handling household management beyond childcare. A full-time nanny will be comfortable working with other household staff, coordinating calendars, planning activities for the children, preparing food for the children and keeping all of the children’s areas neat and tidy.

Part-Time Nanny

Part-time nannies offer much needed support for busy families that need afterschool or weekend childcare. Afterschool pickups and transportation for older children are usual responsibilities for part-time nannies.

Nanny-Tutor

Many of BAHS’s nannies have extensive backgrounds in education and childhood development. A nanny-tutor will be able to prioritize educational activities and work with each child’s unique learning styles to foster an engaging environment. Many nanny-tutors also speak a second or third language and can instill a multi-lingual environment for your child(ren).

Travel Nanny

For on-the-go families, a nanny well-versed in traveling is essential. A travel nanny will know how to pack, arrange travel, manage children through transit hubs and be able to problem solve in an unfamiliar environment when necessary.

Nanny/Personal Assistant

The nanny that can take on personal assistant tasks can be a big help for busy families with older children that don’t need as much attention. Your nanny/personal assistant’s first priority will be childcare, but when the children are at school or afterschool activities, the nanny will be able to help out in other ways around your home. Errand running, calendar coordination and household organization tasks can be given to a Nanny/PA, sometimes called a Family Assistant.

Newborn Nanny

Nannies that specialise in newborn care have extensive experience with newborns, infants and toddlers. They will understand the specific needs of each child’s development stage and be able to navigate each stage’s unique challenges.

View the full post on British American Household Staffing’s blog.

Opening Up on Miscarriage, Isolation & Grief

Our very own Katherine Patterson opens up about her pregnancy loss and why we should never give up hope.

There’s an uncomfortable reaction around the word ‘miscarriage.’ For those hearing the news, and for those who bear it, communication can feel awkward and superficial. Unlike a death of a friend, a parent or a grandparent, there seems to still be a resounding taboo around knowing what to say or do in response to the loss of a baby that hasn’t yet been introduced to us.

This taboo extends to women’s bodies, especially women’s bleeding, whether it be menstruation or miscarriage.

It seems to make people feel very uncomfortable, perhaps because the subject either gets politely avoided or swept under the rug.

“People don’t want to know,” said Julia Bueno, a London-based psychotherapist and author of On the Brink of Being: Talking About Miscarriage.

“It has taken a woefully long time for miscarriage to be taken seriously by the medical profession.” In the absence of knowledge and data, Bueno noted, women in their desperation for an explanation will find reasons to blame themselves. “They’ll say, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t have had that cup of coffee.’ The void creates a strong pull to blame oneself.”

View interview with Katherine Patterson on the British American Household Staffing blog.

Q & A: Your IVF and Surrogacy Questions Answered

Our British American Household Staffing team had the pleasure of sitting down with London’s leading provider of high-success fertility treatments, Harley Street Fertility Clinic.

Here, we join them as they take our questions regarding fertility treatments and share their advice on how to perfectly balance the first steps of fertility treatment, from IVF to surrogacy, with their personable and private services designed by their impeccable team of specialists for you to begin your wonderful journey.

Q: What is involved in the surrogacy process?

A: Surrogacy refers to an arrangement when one woman carries a baby or babies for another woman/couple and hands over the baby after birth. The couple, or single person, who wish to have the baby are called the intended parents. The woman who carries the baby is called the surrogate. There is provision within the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Act 1990 as amended for the granting of parental orders for situations involving surrogacy as long as particular criteria are met. We strongly advise that you seek your own independent legal advice prior to embarking upon surrogacy treatment.

Read the full interview on British American Household Staffing’s blog.

What Is the Process of Hiring Household Staff?

Running a home is like setting up a small business. The same structure, hiring processes, and operational complexities are involved when it comes to employing domestic staffing.

Just like a business, legal issues and logistical details are important when bringing on new employees. In the United States, domestic staff are required to pay taxes and report their income. This means complying with federal and state labor laws. These laws can be complex and are often overlooked. Hiring undocumented workers or not paying household staff in a legal and fair way may lower the immediate bottom line but have serious legal and financial consequences.

What Constitutes Household Staff?

Household staff are hired to work in a private home. What differentiates domestic employees from contract workers is how autonomously they work. An independent contractor will work within their own schedule, use their own tools and operate within their own guidelines. For example, a plumber would be an independent contractor.

Domestic employees work on a set schedule and process determined by the employer or homeowner. For example, your housekeeper working to your schedule and using the tools provided would be a domestic employee. This distinction applies whether an employee is live-in or live-out, part-time or full-time, hourly or salary.

Common staff positions in large and small homes are:

Estate Manager – individual managing multiple large properties and all land, vineyards, private jets and yachts.

House Manager – individual managing a single property and all staff employed there.

Chauffeur – individual hired to drive a principal and family. A chauffeur may also have a background in security.

Lady’s Maid – individual that attends to the lady of the house.

Private Chef – individual that prepares meals on a long-term basis for a household. A private chef may also manage other kitchen staff and plan events.

Butler – individual in the home dedicated to service. Duties of a butler may range from household management to wardrobe care.

Houseman – individual provides deep cleaning for the home and serves a single, usually male, principal.

Personal Assistant – individual working to support a single principal or family. A personal assistant will be able to run errands, book appointments and travel, and manage accounts.

Executive Housekeeper – individual who manages other house cleaning staff. An executive housekeeper may also coordinate vendors and repairs for the property.

Housekeeper – individual responsible for cleaning the home. A housekeeper will be well-versed in maintaining fine furniture, caring for artwork and antiques and cleaning and ironing fine clothing.

Nanny – individual dedicated to caring for the children of the home.

Governess – individual dedicated to caring and educating the children of the home. A governess will have a background in education and focus on teaching and instruction as a primary responsibility.

Private Jet Staff

Private Yacht Staff

View more on British American Household Staffing’s blog.

Recommended Destinations for Vaccinated Travelers

As the summer rapidly approaches and more of us are receiving Covid-19 vaccinations every day, many families are beginning to feel comfortable booking travel again. While many destinations are still closed or have tight restrictions on travel, the team here at British American Household Staffing has put together our list of safe travel destinations with minimal requirements for vaccinated travelers. Whether you’re planning a family trip or a solo weekend getaway, be sure to plan ahead, look into local guidelines then relax and enjoy your trip once you arrive.

The Bahamas

After over a year inside, many are eager for a beach vacation with top quality food, drinks and views. For vaccinated travelers, no advance testing is required (although a rapid test is required on day 5) to enter the Bahamas; unvaccinated travelers are allowed with advance Covid-19 testing. Click here for a full breakdown of the travel requirements. Stay at the luxurious Ocean Club to enjoy 5 miles of private beach, 35 acres of Versailles-inspired lawns and gardens, three pools, a golf course and multiple bar and restaurant options, including a restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. If you’d prefer to cook or bring your own chef for a private getaway, book a waterfront home through Airbnb Luxe. Whether you’re looking for an intimate oceanfront property or a sprawling estate, there are several options on the platform. We love the Villa Sul Mare, which can accommodate up to ten guests. Located inside the gated community of Ocean Club Estates on Paradise Island, the home includes a private pool with ocean views, a 3,000 square foot outdoor area, a beautifully designed kitchen and living area and daily housekeeping service.

View all destinations on British American Household Staffing’s blog.

Household Staff and Covid-19 Vaccinations

As Covid-19 vaccines across America become more and more accessible, many of our clients find themselves with an array of questions regarding their household staff. Can an employer request an employee receive the vaccine? Can a client in the middle of a job search ask to interview vaccinated candidates only? How can an employers help employees with the vaccination process? We’ve pulled together a list of the most frequently asked questions here. If you have any other questions regarding Covid-19, vaccinations and household staff, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly.

For household employers, the recent vaccine developments bring up the question: can I require my nanny to get a vaccination? See Can You Require Your Nanny to Get a COVID-19 Vaccination? from our payroll partner, GTM Payroll Services for more information.

View more on British American Household Staffing’s blog.

What Does a Live-In Nanny Do?

Why hire a live-in nanny?

Juggling work and family is a never-ending cycle of deadlines and to-do lists. Your schedule is filled to the brim: working in the day, picking the children up after school, taking them to their different activities, going home, cooking, cleaning, preparing the children’s food for the next morning and when the children are asleep ordering everything online, tidying up, trying to get some sleep, then starting all over again.

Do you think back to the time when your calendar actually had time in it for yourself, when you could go to the gym, sleep in, or order in? Juggling children, a partner, and a job can seem impossibly hard. Well, it doesn’t have to be with the right support structure in place.

We recommend hiring a live-in nanny or nanny/housekeeper for busy families with school-aged children. The house will be organized, children taken to school, picked up, meals prepared, and you will have time to breathe. You can get to the gym and on weekend days maybe sleep in. It isn’t impossible.

Some families ask “why not an au pair?” Au pairs are popular ideas, but finding a good caregiver is like winning the lottery. You could win a good one but most of the time they are almost young enough to be your own child and as carefree as when you were a late teen. Au pairs do not require the same amount of training or experience as a nanny. While this can be an adequate addition to your family, it’s better to make one hire that will last long-term and be an investment in your children’s development and success.

So, how does a family hire a live-in nanny or nanny/housekeeper and how are weekends covered, too?