Guild Hall's Student Art Festival Has A Theme, 'Made By Water'

Entering its 28th year, the Guild Hall Student Art Festival (SAF) is a tradition that celebrates the artistic achievement and imagination of students on the South Fork in grades kindergarten to 12.

This year’s SAF runs January 18 to February 9 and showcases student art from Bridgehampton to Montauk. The month-long festival opens with a reception celebrating students, teachers, and families on Saturday, January 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. with student performances, gallery tours, and workshops. The SAF concludes with a high school Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 9, at 2 p.m.

New to the festival this year is the introduction of a theme, “Made by Water.” In envisioning an inaugural theme, Guild Hall staff thought of one thing everyone on the East End shares — a love for and dependency on water. Guild Hall invited participating schools to question, discuss, and creatively respond to their experiences with oceans, waterways, and natural landscapes, resulting in an exhibition of diverse, yet connected ,perspectives.

Student performing arts ensembles and filmmakers have also embraced the concept. The opening reception on January 25 will feature film screenings, readings, and both repertoire and original performances from Hayground filmmakers, East Hampton Filmmakers, the East Hampton Dance Team, Amagansett School Chorus, Springs School music students, Montauk School Chorus & Band, and Home School students.

“In collectively exploring this theme, ‘Made by Water,’ Guild Hall is offering both a platform for diverse creative perspectives, and an opportunity to collaboratively develop ideas and projects with local schools and teachers,” said Anthony Madonna, Guild Hall’s Patti Kenner Fellow in Arts Education. “Students on the East End of Long Island are so fortunate to have robust arts education programs in their schools and in their local arts institutions. I look forward to the magnificent display of this programming every year in our Student Art Festival ... With this year’s new theme, ‘Made by Water,’ I am more excited than ever to see what’s to come.”

The opening reception will also feature an art workshop led by Kym Fulmer, as well as refreshments. Hosted by Guild Hall’s Teen Arts Council, the festival’s awards ceremony will recognize the creative achievement of select high school artists on February 9. This year’s awards are determined by guest artist and juror, Virva Hinnemo, a professional artist and educator. Awardees will receive a certificate of excellence.

Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street, East Hampton. For more information, visit guildhall.org or call 631-324-0806.