This weekend, artists living west of the Shinnecock Canal will swing open their studio doors to help an organization that helps others.
The fun begins Friday night with a benefit soiree on an East Moriches estate that doubles as a creative hideaway. A tour of studios and galleries from Quogue to Eastport follows on Saturday and Sunday, and the self-guided event will include a surprise spot known to ticket-holders only. The Artists Studio Tour is presented by and benefits Family Counseling Services (FCS) and includes 39 artists exhibiting artworks in 18 locations. The artists run the gamut from emerging to mid-career: some have exhibited their work around the globe others have found success in local venues or in the commercial arena. The tour includes galleries in Eastport (Art and Soul Gallery) and Westhampton (Fitzgerald Gallery, Gallerie BelAge and Casa Basso Gallery). The exhibition at the Westhampton Beach Historical Society is also a stop on view are artworks of historic buildings by Liz Duerschmidt, who has painted scenes in the local area for decades. Artist studios on the tour are located from Quogue to Remsenburg. To keep the tour geographically concise, some stops feature multiple artists. For one example, Amy’s Ark Studio has a group show of seven artists presenting photography, ceramics, paintings and metal sculptures. Gallerie BelAge will display works by architect Jay Sears, Leanne Luce&mdasha 2008 Westhampton Beach High School graduate and Rhode Island School of Design student&mdashon view with works by Valerie Zeman. Full Moon Arts Center, where the opening party will be held, will have pieces by five artists working in multiple mediums. The benefit reception will feature artwork by all of the artists on the tour, all of whom are expected to attend. Live music will be provided by bluesman and artist Frank LaTorre and The King Bees. Proceeds from a silent auction of the artists’ work will jointly benefit FCS and the Full Moon Arts Center, a non-profit organization devoted to fostering creativity. Proceeds from the evening’s Chinese auction and tour tickets benefit FCS. Tickets are $25 for the self-guided tour or $35, which includes the reception.
This is the first year FCS is offering an artist studio tour. The event is the brainchild of artists Candyce Brokaw of Quogue and Pamela Gates Capozzola of Westhampton. The pair knew plenty of artists were living and working in the western Hamptons and wanted to build awareness that art was happening in their communities. When they connected with Ronnie Wiener, an artist and art collector who founded the Full Moon Arts Center, the trio knew they could create a tour worth attending.