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This is an installment in an irregular series by freelance journalist and Press contributor Pat Rogers examining how art is exhibited, seen, and sold on the East End.
The art season is just about in full swing for summer 2008, which means it’s time to check out the new galleries joining the fray and make note of those that have decided to call it a day. Sometime during the sleepy months of winter, Southampton saw a few closings, changes bubbled in Bridgehampton, and East Hampton sprouted two new galleries.
Art moved around in Sag Harbor with two gallery closings and one opening. Greenport also had some changes, with one gallery going alternative and two new ones joining a gallery scene that’s coming into its own.
Closing their doors on the Southampton scene are Bravura Art & Objects and the Lana Santorelli Gallery (formerly Jade Nectar Gallery for most of its time on Jobs Lane). The Michael Perez Gallery closed its Jobs Lane location and moved around the corner to 59 Main Street.
The Ferregut Tower Gallery directed its attention (and its location) to China. According to a posting on ArtNet.com, Ferregut Tower Gallery owner Yolanda Merchant was to stage local exhibitions of Chinese contemporary art in Southampton in May. There is no word on revised plans as of yet.
Down at the Southampton Inn, Kimberly Goff has brought Elaine Benson Gallery art to the gallery space there.
In Bridgehampton, art shows are now more plentiful. Gideon Stein Gallery held its first group show of the season last month. The gallery opened late last year and plans to hold exhibitions through the late fall. One show in the works features a “secret show” of art on 10- by 12-inch canvases for which the artist’s name is not revealed. The gallery is located at 2297 Montauk Highway. Call 537-1900 for information.
Down the street, the Daria Deshuk Studio on Maple Avenue is launching its first full season as a gallery. The combination studio and exhibition space has an upper level devoted to artwork made for the artist by her partner, Larry Rivers (1923-2002).
The Mark Borghi Gallery made a small change, moving to a new space a few doors away from the former Main Street location.
Sag Harbor also saw some site shifting. Closing its doors was Karin Sanders Contemporary and the Vignoli Gallery, which briefly opened in a second story venue near its former location. Brand new is the Esses Studio at 40 Madison Street, next to Il Cappuccino. The new gallery will be open only through September, showing the artwork of Rolph Scarlett, Gary T. Erbe and The Graffiti 1980 Studio. An opening will be held July 5 at 6 p.m. For information, call 631-255-7704 or visit www.essesstudio.com.
The Esses Studio is the brainchild of longtime resident Jordana Esses as a way to show her father’s art collection. After the three-month run, Ms. Esses will seek another venue for the collection. Her father, Sam Esses, founded the Grafitti 1980 Studio as a way to capture some of the street art being made on walls. Some of the art made there is now part of the Smithsonian Archives and the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Heading east, East Hampton held steady with its existing gallery circuit and added two newcomers. Like Esses Studio, the Basement Gallery is designed to exhibit artwork from the collection of its owner, Norman Altman of East Hampton. The gallery is literally located in Mr. Altman’s unfinished basement, complete with washer and dryer for added charm. The first exhibition is a survey show of the art and words of Rose Graubart Ignatow (1914-1995).
On Saturday, the Basement Gallery will host a reading of Mrs. Ignatow’s poetry by East End poets. The reading will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Future exhibitions will feature select artists from his eclectic collection.
Mr. Altman comes from a long line of art collectors and decided to open the gallery to put his family’s collection on view and bring exposure to artists who may not yet have received their share.
The gallery, at 9 Albertines Lane, East Hampton, will be open through the fall. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment. For information, call 329-2927.
Also new in East Hampton is the new store, John McWhinnie @ Glenn Horowitz Bookseller and Art Gallery at 38 Newtown Lane. The intimate shop is similar to the Glenn Horowitz space located down the street, but was opened to carry extremely rare and exotic book editions and establish a presence in the heart of Newtown Lane.
The space will be used to exhibit art that complements the art shows in the pair’s Manhattan gallery and book shop or could be used as an additional project space for the other East Hampton location, run by director Jeremy Sanders. The new space opened on May 24 with a solo show by Jameson Ellis, which is still on view.
On the North Fork, Greenport has two new galleries. The Kapell Gallery opened June 21 with a solo show of sculpture by Owen Morrell. The show remains on view through August 17. The gallery is located at 400 Front Street and is usually open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Calling in advance is recommended.
Also new is the Terrence Joyce Gallery at 114 Main Street. The gallery will show works by its namesake and other artists plus jewelry and prints in group shows. For information, call 477-0700 or visit ww.terrencejoycegallery.com.
In the meantime, the Benton Nyce Gallery decided to give up its space and hold guerilla art shows as the opportunity arises. The inaugural show was held in May in a vacant building. Other weekend shows will be held throughout the summer.
on Jun 24, 2008