On Friday, June 25, Southampton Arts Center [SAC] opened its doors to host Whimsy in the Garden, the organization’s inaugural cocktail benefit, with overwhelming success. More than 250 of Southampton’s prominent philanthropists, artists, and residents enjoyed a magical evening, beginning in the galleries as they toured SAC’s current exhibition, EARTH – Artists as Activists. The party continued onto WHIMSY, an outdoor sculpture garden curated by Eric Fischl. With a butterfly motif and a Bossa Nova band, the event was complemented by delicious treats from Acquolina and Pomp & Whimsy gin cocktails. This fundraising event was generously supported by Graff, Artisan Luxe Bio Beauty, Purist, and The Holly Peterson Foundation.
SAC executive director Tom Dunn welcomed guests, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to come back together as a community and anticipation for the summer ahead. SAC trustee and event chair Elyn Kronemeyer thanked hosts and sponsors for their generous support, and emphasized SAC’s commitment to continuing the legacy and vision of the building’s original owner, Samuel Parrish, by bringing the community together through a broad array of programs including art, film, music, talks, and more.
The event raised over $80,000 to support SAC’s mission of community building through the arts. Located in the heart of Southampton Village, SAC’s work as the leading arts and culture center provides rich and diverse programming year-round.
Whimsy in the Garden Guests:
Steven Stolman and Rich Willkie, Marc Chiffert, Paolo Bacchini and Arnie Rosenshein, Nicole Salmasi, Peter Hallock and Craig Mowry, Rick Friedman and Cindy Wakefield, Jesse Warren and Martyna Sokol, Lydia and Rudy Touzet, Isabella De Conti Mikklilneni and Radha Mikklilneni, Cheri Kaufman & Bill Sclight, Anna Rothschild, Regina and Reiner Greeven, Elyn and Jeff Kronemeyer, Paul Travis and Mark Fichandler, Susan and David Edelstein, Fern Mallis, Lorraine De Tymowska, Joseph Liu, Jessie Zhou, Victoria Wyman, Amanda Taylor, Robin Avram, Jill Braufman and Daniel Nir, Amanda Taylor, Alex Kuczynski, Fern Mallis, Kathy and Kevin Scherer, Patty Raynes, Victoria Wyman, Kara Ross, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Bettina Zilhka, top Graff person, Liliana Cavendish, Cricket and Richard Burns, Melinda Hackett and Michael Drury, Lisa Fields, Martha McGuinness and Fabian Onetti, Victoria Wyman, Rob and Helena Vahradian, Ellie Manko Libby, Charlotte and Andrew Pilaro, Sue Devitt, Stephen Squinto, Mary Slattery, Doris Castells, Paula Lajaunie-Viscogliosi, Laura Moore Tanne, Tish Rehill, Michel Sacconaghi, Paul Schorr III, Peter and Linda Talty, Nancy Zink O’Connor, and Patty Raynes.
Southampton Village Trustees included Andrew Pilaro, Joseph McLoughlin, Robin Brown (Trustee Elect), and Roy Stevenson (Trustee Elect).
Southampton Arts Center Trustees included Roberta Amon, Paul Travis, Rob Vaharadian, Whitney Stevens, Fairley Pilaro, Paula Viscogliosi, Aima Raza, Elyn Kronemeyer, Siamak Samii, Chris Smith, Kara Ross, and SAC executive director Tom Dunn.
Select Southampton Arts Center programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. The SAC Summer Stage is sponsored by Primary Care and Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian. EARTH – Artists as Activists is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Eco programs are made possible by Dorothy and Michael Reilly. Additional sponsors include Dr. Paula Angelone and Gerald Rosengarten, Greener Smart Homes, and Southampton Inn. WHIMSY is sponsored by Hauser and Wirth, with additional support from Marlborough Gallery and James Lane Post. FILM @ SAC is sponsored by Brown Harris Stevens. KIDS @ SAC is sponsored by Investors Bank. Silent Disco is presented by Simone and David Levinson.
ABOUT SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER
Southampton Arts Center is committed to community building through the arts. We present and produce inspiring, inclusive, socially and regionally relevant programs across all disciplines – welcoming, connecting, and collaborating with the diverse members of New York’s East End community and beyond. SAC is a not for profit 501(c)(3) organization.
For more information about Southampton Arts Center, located at 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, New York 11968, visit southamptonartscenter.org or call 631.283.0967. Follow SAC on Facebook and Instagram @southamptonartscenter.
For press inquiries, contact Rachel Bosworth via email at rachel@rachelbosworth.com or by phone at 631.220.1220.