‘A Sense Of Place’ Exhibition Opens At Southampton Arts Center

Southampton Arts Center’s newest exhibition invited regional artists to present their interpretations of their own environment.

Organized by Bastienne Schmidt, “A Sense of Place” includes art from Philippe Cheng, Louise Eastman, Janis Stemmermann, Christopher French, Saskia Friedrich, Mary Heilmann, Toni Ross, Michelle Stuart, Edwina von Gal, Almond Zigmund and Ms. Schmidt herself.

“I have been interested for many years, as an artist, traveler, and cultural observer, to understand how we shape our own sense of place and how it shapes us,” Ms. Schmidt said in a prepared statement. “We, as artists, speak in a language of images, colors and shapes, responding to concerns and impressions, might they be cultural, social, environmental, emotional or political. What brings us all together as a human species is to have the safety of a sense of place.”

One of the pieces on display is composed of four vibrant colored 48-by-48-inch intentionally blurry photographs taken by Mr. Cheng, a fine art photographer in New York who has a studio in Bridgehampton. A green chalkboard with the word “democracy” written across the middle and partially erased is by Ms. Ross, a Wainscott artist. Landscape designer Edwina von Gal, of East Hampton, collected earth from five different places on Long Island and placed them in glass dioramas, naming her exhibit “Perfect Earth Project.”

Ms. Stemmermann and Ms. Eastman, both of whom live in Brooklyn, created a piece of art together that consisted of two long pieces of cloth that were smashed with marigolds, put through a printing press and dyed with a chestnut bark solution. The marigolds were grown at Ms. Eastman’s other home in Sag Harbor.

“We are excited to begin the new year with this visually stunning and environmentally mindful exhibition,” said Amy Kirwin, the director of programs at the arts center. “With a new focus on sustainability, we feel this is the perfect representation of what is sure to be an incredible year of programs and exhibitions at Southampton Arts Center.”

“A Sense of Place” will be on display until April 9 at the arts center at 25 Jobs Lane in Southamptin Village, Thursdays through Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.