What's on the East Hampton Arts Scene
East Hampton has long been a home to artists, and a number of museums and sculpture gardens and galleries have cropped up to reflect that. Here is a look at what’s happening this season at four of these art destinations.e
Longhouse Reserve
Founded by Jack Lenor Larsen, Longhouse Reserve is an outdoor sculpture garden on 16 lush acres. Art in the Garden includes sculpture permanently placed, such as “Reclining Figure” by Willem de Kooning and “Play It By Trust” by Yoko Ono, as well as changing exhibitions. Currently on view is Steve Miller: Health of the Planet, through October 11. Upcoming events include Opera al Fresco on August 1 and LOOK UP! a reenactment celebrating the 40th anniversary of Philippe Petit’s 1974 walk across the Twin Towers, on August 7. Exteriors: the explosion of outdoor furnishings is on view through October 4. Twilight Tours—a wonderful way to experience Longhouse’s gardens—take place at 6 p.m. on August 4, 11, 18 and 25. Start off your weekend with Saturday 8 a.m. Sound Meditation with Jim Owen on the main lawn, rain or shine. Beginning meditation classes run through the end of July and advanced meditation, featuring dharanas from the Vijnana Bhairave, take place during the month of August. Longhouse Reserve is open Wednesday through Saturday from 2–5 p.m.
133 Hands Creek Rd., East Hampton. Call 631-604-5330 or visit longhouse.org
Guild Hall
Guild Hall is a museum, performance venue and educational center that provides the East End with exhibitions, staged readings, films and lectures year-round. Working closely with artists and artists’ estates on the East End, Guild Hall often curates shows that highlight the area as a cultural hub. In its mission is the task of collecting, preserving and presenting the works of accomplished East End artists. The permanent collection alone contains 2,100 works. If you’re between the ages of 21 and 45, join the Guild Hall Contemporaries—a membership circle for young art lovers. Just a sprinkling of what’s currently going on at the Museum is Arlene Slavin: Intersections (through October 13), Billy Rayner (through July 27), Foundation for Art and Preservation in Embassies (FAPE) Exhibition (through July 27). The John Drew Theater will be hosting plays, lectures, screenings and more throughout the summer. August 8 marks the Summer Gala, this year celebrating Robert Motherwell.
158 Main Street, East Hampton. Call 631-324-0806 or visit guildhall.org
Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center
The former home of artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner is a National Historic Landmark where visitors can tour the house, studio and property, view exhibitions, and attend lectures and panel discussions. Pollock’s Champions, an exhibition about Pollock’s three lifetime art dealers, is on view from July 31–October 31. The Study Center, open by appointment, promotes scholarship in 20th century American Art. It comprises a 2,000 volume reference library, the archives of the Pollock and Kranser catalogues raisonné, photographs by Hans Namuth and others, and an oral history collection of audio and video tapes. Throughout the summer, the Pollock-Krasner House is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 1–5 p.m., with guided tours by appointment at noon. Kids will enjoy the Jackson Pollock Family Drip Painting Workshop, on Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays, 10–11:30 a.m. Reservations required.
830 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton. Call 631-324-4929 or visit stonybrook.edu/pkhouse
Madoo Conservancy
Madoo Conservancy is the late artist, writer and gardener Robert Dash’s 2-acre organic garden. The Conservancy is dedicated to the study, preservation and enhancement of the horticulturally diverse garden, as well as to continuing the legacy of its beloved founder, Bob Dash. The garden is open to the public every Friday and Saturday, noon–4 p.m. through September 20, and private visits can be arranged in advance at other times of the year. Currently on view in the summer studio is an exhibition of Robert Dash’s paintings from 2007. The works were selected by Robert Storr, dean of Yale School of Art, and the collection marks Madoo’s inaugural exhibition in the summer studio. The exhibition runs through September 20 and is free with garden entrance. Madoo offers art classes year-round, with current “Madoo Paints” summer session taking place in the garden with artist Eric Denver. During the winter, “Madoo Talks” lecture series, with past topics ranging from Italian Gardens to The World of Exteriors, takes place in Robert Dash’s winter house painting studio. The talks are followed by receptions in the living room—making for an intimate experience.
618 Sagg Main St., Sagaponack. Call 631-537-8200 or visit madoo.org
RELATED: What’s on the Southampton Arts Scene