East Hampton ‘Drive-By’ Exhibit

On Saturday, June 20, artists living in East Hampton will be able to display their work to members of the public without leaving their homes in a one-day event called “Art Apart.”

On June 4, the East Hampton Town Board approved the event, which will take place between 10 AM and 4 PM, with a rain date of Sunday, June 21. The resolution passed by the board states that the goal is “to make [artists’] work viewable by the public without exposing the artists or the public to possible transmittal of COVID-19.”

Idoline Duke, a local artist, presented the idea to the East Hampton Arts Council, according to Janet Jennings, who co-chairs the council. “It’s a roadside experience for everyone,” Jennings said, encouraging artists of all ages to participate.

Currently, cultural facilities are scheduled to open in Phase 4 of New York Forward. Phase 4 is still a few weeks out, unless New York Governor Andrew Cuomo accelerates the reopening from the COVID-19-related shutdown.

Interested artists will need to register via a website created for the event, www.artapart2020.wixsite.com/2020.

“Art exhibited must be on the artist’s own property and be visible from the road,” the town board’s resolution states, “but must be located in a manner which will not block or obstruct traffic, or block or interfere with sight lines when driving.”

While Art Apart is described as a drive-by viewing experience, pedestrians or bicycle riders are also welcome to view the displays as long as they follow proper social distancing protocols.

The experience will offer “an uncurated, roadside exhibition featuring the creative talent of a diverse swath of our town’s residents. Anyone is welcome to participate. Art Apart is designed for our socially-distant times: by registering online and getting on the tour map, artists will share what they’ve created in these months of isolation on their own roadside property, and viewers will visit from the safety of their cars,” states a press release.

“Being able to enjoy the expression of art within the community is an important aspect of any human being,” Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said.

t.e@indyeastend.com

This article, originally published on June 9, was updated on June 16.