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The Thanksgiving weekend typically marks the last hoorah before the beginning of the relative hush that is winter on the East End visual arts scene. The feasting and shopping weekend brings with it a crush of art openings and launches a month of exhibitions tailored to the concept of affordable gift giving.
Completely in step with this holiday spirit, the Mayfair Gallery is opening its doors at 73 Main Street in East Hampton, launching its inaugural exhibition on Black Friday with a reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The group show, “Imagine: A Collection of Whimsical Art from Unfettered Imaginations,” will remain on view through Sunday. The gallery will follow up by presenting art shows on selected weekends through March 2010.
The new gallery is owned Dan Kulchinsky, who owns jewelry stores including Mayfair Rocks at 19 Main Street in East Hampton. The Mayfair Gallery is located in the store’s former location at 73 Main Street. Reluctant to leave the space vacant, Mr. Kulchinsky teamed up with East Hampton artist Gary Lovelace to present a series of weekend-only art shows.
Each exhibition will benefit an area charity and provide exposure for lesser known area artists, the two men explained. This weekend’s exhibition will benefit The Retreat.
“I think it’s important to give back to the community,” Mr. Kulchinsky said. “So why not ask local artists to show their talent and hopefully raise money for a charity that serves our community? The Retreat is a great organization. It was a natural choice for our first charity that we’d like to benefit.”
To raise funds, there will be a raffle featuring a small work by each exhibiting artist and jewelry donated by Maryfair Rocks. A portion of all art sales will benefit the selected non-profit.
The “Imagine” exhibition features the artwork of Mary Larsen of Shelter Island along with work by Mr. Lovelace, Charles Ly, Christian Little, Peter Ngo and Justin Smith—all of East Hampton. All the artists share a penchant for fantasy or fantastic figures and scenes.
Locally, Ms. Larson and Mr. Ly have exhibited at Mosquito Hawk Gallery on Shelter Island. Additionally, Ms. Larson has exhibited in Savannah, Georgia. Mr. Ly has exhibited in California and in New York City. Mr. Little is represented by the Sara Nightingale Gallery on Shelter Island.
Mr. Ngo’s work has been part of shows sponsored by the Artists Secret Society. Mr. Smith’s renderings of rock legends can currently be found at Crossroads Music in East Hampton. All of the artists have exhibited in Bonac Tonic group shows at Ashawagh Hall in Springs.
Mr. Lovelace has also exhibited at the Sara Nightingale Gallery, Silas Marder Gallery in Bridgehampton and Guild Hall’s annual Artist Members Exhibition. This past summer, his paintings were displayed at JewelHampton in East Hampton. Mr. Lovelace has curated shows before, including a 2007 exhibit at the Wainscott Chapel.
Mr. Kulchinsky became aware of Mr. Lovelace’s artwork after meeting him through an East Hampton business connection. An instant fan, he quickly entered into what seemed like a natural collaboration between the two, and the Mayfair Gallery was born.
“His art is whimsical,” Mr. Kulchinsky said. “The imagery of his paintings has a dreamlike quality ... his art seems to fit the character of the jewelry designers we select for our stores.”
Shows curated at the Mayfair Gallery will differ from typical gallery shows, Mr. Lovelace said. The artwork will be displayed by individual artists in segregated areas. Each section will include a photograph of the artist and an artist’s statement on display with the artwork.
Posting photographs near the art will allow the artists to be recognized at the opening. Taking in the printed information while viewing the artwork can provide greater insight into the pieces on view, Mr. Lovelace said. This more comprehensive presentation can be especially helpful since most of the artists expected to exhibit their work are in the early stages of their careers, he said.
“I think it will help people get to know the artists,” Mr. Lovelace said. “All of the artists will be at the openings and can talk about their work. Having the picture on the wall will let people pick them out of the crowd.”
Displaying the art in discrete sections of work by individual artists allows gallery visitors to examine a cohesive collection. Each exhibition will be tied together with a theme—something Mr. Lovelace feels is lacking in group shows he’s attended.
“I’ve never seen exhibitions presented this way,” he said. “We’re trying something new.”
Mr. Smith—an early member of Bonac Tonic—is pleased to be part of the initial lineup of artists exhibiting at the Mayfair Gallery. The temporary gallery gives artists another place to show their art, the kind of opportunity that’s sorely missing in the Hamptons, he said.
“We need new places for exposure,” he said. “Up and coming artists have a tough time finding a gallery in East Hampton. The Mayfield Gallery is an upscale place and we’ll really show what we can do. Black Friday means people will be in a spending mood. I hope they will spend it on something that will enrich their lives and benefit a great cause.”
“Imagine: A collection of whimsical art from unfettered imaginations” will open on Friday, November 27, with an opening reception scheduled from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Mayfair Gallery, 73 Main Street, East Hampton. A portion of proceeds from sales will benefit The Retreat. Raffle tickets ($20 each) can be purchased at the exhibition, which will remain on view through Sunday. For information, e-mail Gary Lovelace at artist@mail2gary.com.
on Nov 23, 2009