Southampton Arts Center ‘EARTH — Artists As Activist

Now through July 11, Southampton Arts Center (SAC) is showing “EARTH — Artists as Activists” a multidisciplinary exhibition curated by Amy Kirwin with work by more than 30 artists that creatively confronts the threats to the environment by bringing forth a collective effort to inspire action. In conjunction with the art exhibition, SAC is offering a series of environmental themed programs, all of which were created by SAC’s curatorial associate Daniela Kronemeyer. Programs are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. SAC is located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton. Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration for all programs is required at southamptonartscenter.org.

May 15 to May 22

Saturday, May 15, from noon to 4 p.m. – Natural Garden Fair

Group for the East End, Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons, Montauk Seaweed Company, Perfect Earth Project, and many more join together for talks, locally-sourced products, a native plant sale, nature books, children’s arts and crafts, and more. Takes place on the SAC West Lawn. Registration not required

Sunday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to noon – Curator-Led Artist Tour

“EARTH — Artists as Activists” curator Amy Kirwin will lead an intimate tour of the galleries at SAC, with several participating artists on hand to discuss their work. Artists include Scott Bluedorn, Erica Cirino, Rossa Cole, Janet Culbertson, John Haigney, Kara Hoblin, Dawn Lee, Christa Maiwald, Janine Martel, Patricia Paladines, Anne Seelbach, Anne Sherwood Pundyk, Jonathan Shlafer, Kathryn Szoka, and Diane Tuft.

Sunday, May 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. – Guided Nature Walk at SOFO

Join Frank Quevedo on a leisurely walk through Vineyard Field behind the museum to observe migrating birds and other wildlife. Native grasses and wildflowers, vernal ponds and the surrounding woods provide food, water and nesting sites for many migrating birds and year-round mammals.

Sunday, May 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. – “Conscience Point” Screening + Panel Discussion

Honoring the East End’s indigenous community, the panel is moderated by Joe Shaw, Executive Editor of the Express News Group, and includes members of the Shinnecock Nation — Tela Troge, Shane Weeks, Kelly Dennis and Becky Genia — and Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. Exploring the roots of American inequity, greed, and pollution, “Conscience Point,” directed by Treva Wurmfeld, contrasts the values of those for whom the beautiful places are a commodity and those for whom land means community, belonging, heritage and home. “Conscience Point” metaphorically and thematically goes beyond the Hamptons to tell a story of fighting the elite at a time when many Americans are also struggling to remain in gentrifying parts of cities under pressure of development. Takes place on the SAC West Lawn.

Wednesday, May 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Virtual Talk: The Healing Power of Birds and How We Restore Their Habitats

Featuring birding instructor and ornithological educator, Holly Merker, and Edwina von Gal — landscape designer and founder of the Perfect Earth Project, this virtual event will focus on ornitherapy — the practice of observing birds to calm and ground oneself — as well as “Two Thirds for the Birds,” a new initiative aimed to restore their habitats using native plants.

Sunday, May 21, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. – “The Story of Plastic” Screening + Panel Discussion

Depicting a world rapidly becoming overrun with toxic material, “The Story of Plastic” directed by Deia Schlosberg, brings into focus an alarming, man-made crisis. Striking footage, original animations, and archival material combine in this timely documentary to point to the disastrous impact of the manufacture and use of plastics, shedding new light on a pressing global challenge that threatens the life expectancy of animals, humans, and Earth itself. Panel will feature Erica Cirino, Cindy Pease-Roe, Kara Hahn, Beth Fiteni, and George Povall. Takes place on the SAC West Lawn.

Saturday, May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. – Southampton Environmental Policy Forum

Southampton’s environmental experts and policy makers will discuss a range of issues from the clean-up of Lake Agawam, the gas leaf blower ban, efforts to ban and reduce mylar balloons, and what happens with recycling. Featuring Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren, Dieter von Lehsten of the Southampton Town Sustainable Committee, Southampton Town Trustee Ann Welker, and more. Moderated by Joe Shaw of the Express News Group. Submit questions to panelists ahead of time: events@southamptoncenter.org.

May 29 to June 10

Saturday, May 29, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Sound Meditation

Mediation DJ Daniel Lauter leads sound meditations featuring sounds in nature, including whales and the ocean, rainforests, and woodlands. Takes place in the galleries at Southampton Arts Center; $25 per person.

Wednesday, June 2, from 6 to 7 p.m. – Kids Program: “Be a Good Egg” Part I (Virtual)

Group for the East End educators will introduce National Audubon’s “Be a Good Egg” program — an outreach initiative implemented by Audubon staff, chapters, volunteers and other conservation partners. Participants will learn basic shorebird identification and biology as well as key strategies to reduce human disturbance threats to coastal birds by encouraging people to “share the shore” with birds while visiting the beach. This is a family friendly program suitable for all ages.

Friday, June 4, from 4 to 5 p.m. – Kids Program: Meet Our Native Wildlife

Join the Quogue Wildlife Refuge to learn all about the native wildlife that call Long Island home. During this 50 minute program, participants will meet a variety of animals that reside at the Refuge. Each animal’s personal history, adaptations, and conservation in the wild will be discussed.

Saturday, June 5, from 11 a.m. to noon – Kids Program: “Be a Good Egg” Part II

Come create a “Be a Good Egg” sign on the Southampton Arts Center’s West Lawn. Group for the East End educators will lead an artistic expression of what it means to be a good shorebird steward. Artwork from the program will be on display at the arts center or take it home with you. This is a family friendly program.

Saturday, June 6, from 7 to 10 p.m. – “Fantastic Fungi” Screening + Panel Discussion

Director Louis Schwartzberg’s consciousness-shifting film about the mycelium network takes viewers on an immersive journey through time and scale into the magical earth beneath our feet, exploring an underground network that can heal and save the planet. Panel includes David Falkowski from Open Minded Organics and artist Scott Bluedorn.

Thursday, June 10, from 7 to 10 p.m. – “Living Soil” Screening + Panel Discussion

Chelsea Myers’ film shows how soils support 95 percent of all food production. They filter water, are one of the most cost-effective reservoirs for sequestering carbon, are the foundation for biodiversity, and are vibrantly alive, teeming with 10,000 pounds of biological life in every acre. Panelists include Dr. Deborah Aller, Dan Heston, Layton Guenther, Jason Hansana Cofield, and Lauren Ruiz. Moderated by Alexandra Talty.

June 13 to June 24

Sunday, June 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. – Restorative Oysters: Celebrating Our Local Waterways & Aquaculture Industry

An evening celebrating local waterways and learning more about community oyster growing and the commercial aquaculture industry, featuring several esteemed panelists from SAC partner organizations including Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Marine Program, Group for the East End, Peconic Baykeeper, and local oyster growers. This event features two panel discussions on clean water and septic solutions, and aquaculture and oyster farming. An oyster tasting in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program will take place on the SAC lawn, as well as a short film program highlighting CCE Marine’s SPAT Program.

This is a free program, however to participate in the oyster and wine tasting bracelets are available for sale. Proceeds from ticket sales support Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program.

Wednesday, June 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. – Virtual Talk: The Artist’s View – Contrasting Expressions of Nature

Long Island’s natural environment has been the muse for countless artists, starting with indigenous people who created beautiful art inspired by the land and sea. That inspiration continues today with many local artists who use a variety of diverse methods and natural materials to create their work. Artists Scott Bluedorn, Anne Sherwood Pundyk, and Cindy Pease Roe discuss how the beauty of Long Island’s environment informs and inspires their creativity. The moderator is Kathryn Szoka, photographer and co-owner of Canio’s Books.

Thursday, June 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. – “Whale Wisdom” Screening + Panel Discussion
Filmmaker Rick Rosenthal embarks on a journey into the minds of whales, and discovers their ingenuity and tenderness, their risk-taking and curiosity, and even their music. Filmed in seven countries, “Whale Wisdom” gives a glimpse of the intelligence of these giants of the sea.

Friday, June 18, from 11 a.m. to noon and 3 to 4 p.m. – Tree Tour with Tucker Marder
Tucker Marder will lead a tour of the Folly Tree Arboretum, a dendrological archive of over 250 rare, unusual and culturally significant trees located on the South Fork of Long Island. Trees in the collection include a sycamore that went to the moon on Apollo 14, a tree with useless fruits, and an oak tree that owns itself. Folly Tree Arboretum produces projects that explore the ways in which culture, narrative and imagination form humans’ relationship to the natural world as well as supports the work of others who are developing new and creative methods of environmental storytelling.

Thursday, June 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Using Art to Advance a Case for Life on Earth

Conserving nature and tapping into human creativity may not immediately appear to be connected. Panelists including Safina Center Founding President Dr. Carl Safina, photographer and educator Patricia Paladines, award-winning writer Paul Greenberg, writer and artist Erica Cirino, and medical anthropologist and scientific illustrator Kate Thompson will discuss inspiration, conservation, preservation of both nature and human communities, and more.

June 30 to July 8

Wednesday, June 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. – Virtual Talk: Birding – A Female Perspective

In partnership with Audubon NYC, Hob Osterlund, Melissa Groo and Holly Merker discuss birding from a female perspective in this one-hour Zoom presentation, including a Q&A. Moderated by Daniela Kronemeyer.

Thursday, July 8, from 7 to 10 p.m. – “Fish & Men” Screening + Panel Discussion

In “Fish & Men,” filmmakers Adam Jones and Darby Duffin expose the high cost of cheap fish in the modern seafood economy and the forces threatening local fishing communities and public health by revealing how consumer choices drive the global seafood trade. Panel includes Dr. Jennifer Jacquet, David Barber, Margie Mason, Valentine Thomas, Esq, Sean Barrett, and moderator Tela Loretta Troge, Esq.