“Having so many of the talented makers of our new artworks with us is in keeping with LongHouse’s tradition of honoring makers,” said executive director Carrie R. Barratt.
On Saturday July 23rd a special wonderland at the LongHouse Reserve was created to celebrate past, present and future artists. The gala was titled ONWARD, an expression frequently used by Jake Lenor Larsen. The scene was filled with canopy beds, rugs, and tasseled umbrellas throughout the garden under the stars. Many of the 300 guests wore caftans. Five buffets offered guests freshly shucked clams & oysters, poké bowls, lobster salad, duck and more. The Champagne ice pops were a hit. The evening raised over half a million dollars.
“LongHouse is so fortunate to have such a wealth of talent and support in our community,”
offered co-president Dianne Benson.
Highlights included Taiwanese artist Cheng Tsung Feng’s large bamboo pavilion representing his local fishing community. The commission named Fish Trap VI enabled guests to become one with the concept of a caught fish, literally being inside of the trap. The lighting on the work created more drama and depth to the piece as the sun set in the garden. Feng is known for his pieces for Hermès, Nike, and Loewe. This piece was partly fabricated with LongHouse-grown bamboo and Feng shared his weaving technique in a workshop during the summer.
“You could feel the love and support in the air” added co-president, Nina Gillman.
The Summer Benefit is LongHouse Reserve’s largest event of the year, with all proceeds going towards their mission of teaching living with art in all its forms; this includes diverse educational outreach, community programming, and maintenance of the grounds to keep it open for all.
Steven Ladd stood inside his piece (created with his brother William Ladd), Right Here, Right Now; Moko Fukuyama engaged us with her Hell Gate Keepers; and Fitzhugh Karol shared Friendship, his immense totems honoring the spirit of trees. Other work on the property for the first time included Bjorn Amelan’s sumi ink paintings and Alexander Polzin’s Parthenope alongside permanent installations by Yoko Ono, Buckminster Fuller, and Willem de Kooning.
Guests included Alice Aycock, Tony Bechara and Desiree Von la Valette, Halim Bulos, Stacy Engman, Edwina von Gal, Dakota Jackson and RoseLee Goldberg, Anna Kulinova, Nathan Lane and Delvin Elliott, Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley, Laura Lobdell, Fern Mallis, Jean Shafiroff, Leann Pei, Harry Santa-Olalla, Lee Skolnick, Barbara Slifka, David White (Mr.StarCity), Robert Wilson, stylish sister duo Tanya and Temidra Willock, and Victoria Wyman, as well as LongHouse Reserve Board of Trustees, Sherri Donghia, Dr. Derick George, Ayse Kenmore, Mark and Elizabeth Levine, Deborah Nevins, Peter H. Olsen, Suzanne Slesin and Michael Steinberg, and James Zajac.
Music provided by The Cherry Bombs, JoyJanJones, Royal KhaoZ and Certain Moves, with choreography and movement from Hadam Sung. Sponsors included Macari Vineyards, Springs Brewery, Baked by Melissa, Marders, Diversified Services Inc., Power Equipment, and Riverhead Building Supply.
