Artists Take Over Southampton Arts Center

Artists are taking over Southampton Arts Center. The show “TAKEOVER! Artists in Residence,” curated by Artistic Director Amy Kirwin, will open on Saturday, February 9, with a public reception from 5 to 7 PM.

During the “takeover,” SAC will hand over its galleries to nine artists, each creating a pop-up studio. Celebrated East End artists include Scott Bluedorn, Daniel Cabrera, Darlene Charneco, Kara Hoblin, Ruby Jackson, Laurie Lambrecht, Jerome Lucani, Paton Miller, and Jeff Muhs. They will display current works, while creating new works within the space.

“I’m incredibly excited for the community to take a rarely-seen peek into the creative process with these nine talented East End artists as they take over the galleries of Southampton Arts Center,” said Kirwin.

Each of the artists will participate in scheduled weekly studio time to create the new works in a wide variety of media. Kirwin said the exhibit will give “artists the opportunity to socialize with other artists and collaborate potentially.” She believes “collaboration will happen organically. I think they’ll be inspired by each other.” The gallery hours are Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6 PM. A schedule will be posted on SAC’s website each week, so those wanting to view the process can plan visits accordingly, and visit repeatedly. You can “watch the creative process at play,” said Kirwin.

“These pop-up studios will allow guests to get a sense of what it’s like to be invited into these sacred private spaces and follow the artists in the process of creating new works. My hope is that that visitors will return often to see the progress,” said Kirwin.

“We’re thrilled to kick off 2019 with this fun and interactive exhibition,” said Tom Dunn, SAC’s executive director.

During the seven-week run there will also be workshops for all ages and intimate gallery tours. Guests can join a weekly hangout with the artists, which will be held each Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. During the hangout, enjoy playing ping pong, have a drink, listen to music, socialize, and watch the creative process. Kirwin said they will “create an environment for socializing” between artists and the public in a clubhouse type setting. During February 28’s hangout performance artist Ryder Cooley, who is currently an artist-in-residence at the Watermill Center, will perform.

In addition to the studios, the entrance gallery will include “Handoff: Weaving in Space,” a project by artists Christine Sciulli and Bastienne Schmidt. The end result will be a large-scale spatial installation, to be completed by the show’s closing. Invited artists will contribute to the piece during the seven weeks of the exhibition.

The show will run through Sunday, March 24. For more info, visit www.southamptonartscenter.org.

jessica@indyeastend.com