Dan's Papers - June 26, 2009 - Art Walk & Auction in Sag Harbor

Sag Harbor is renowned for its small town charm and timeless quality. Businesses established in the '40s or '50s proudly bear their original signs and storefronts. Yet within its historic Main Street district there is room for a fresh approach. The village has continued to thrive as a result of respect for history and innovation. This weekend, two institutions that have worked separately in the past to preserve and celebrate Sag Harbor, come together for a day of art .

For over three years, Tulla Booth (Tulla Booth Gallery) and Rebecca Cooper (The Gallery) have led Art Walks throughout Sag Harbor to highlight local businesses and artists. In an interview with Booth, she said that the tours got their start once her original idea gained momentum by Cooper's interest. For about the same amount of time, Save Sag Harbor (SSH), a non-profit, has been dedicated to preserving the uniqueness and intimacy of Sag Harbor.

For the past couple of years, SSH has held a Benefit Art Auction to fund their activities. This year the auction will take place at Christy's Art Center on Madison St. Michael Eicke of Christy's has generously interrupted the current motorcycle exhibition and donated the space to the cause. In an interview with organizer April Gornik, she stressed SSH's gratitude to the Old Whaler's Church for lending the space in the past, but said they were very excited to conduct the auction in a gallery setting this year.

The similar mission statements of the Tulla Booth and Rebecca Cooper's Gallery Row Arts Tours and SSH has led to their natural union. In an interview with Rebecca Cooper, she said that while many Sag Harbor galleries don't exclusively show Sag Harbor artists, there is a tendency to promote East End artists, perhaps more than other Villages. SSH, similarly, works to protect and celebrate Sag Harbor's businesses and historic landmarks. This year Booth and Cooper will be assisted in their two tour groups by members of SSH, Jayne Young and Susan Mead, on the Art Walk, and the tour will conclude with the SSH Benefit Art Auction at Christy's. Gornik said she is especially pleased with the day's line-up since having the gallery tour before the auction ensures equal attention to all of Sag Harbor's art spaces, instead of just highlighting Christy's.

The art events begin at 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 27, with the Art Walk. The tour will leave from Sag Harbor's landmark windmill and last about 2 hours. Attendees are welcome to join or depart the tour at any time. The tour can also be self-guided with maps of locations covered available at all participating galleries. Approximately fifty important East End artists and over a dozen galleries will be represented. SSH's Benefit Art Auction runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Christy's Art Center, 3 Madison St. All events are free, but a donation of $5 is suggested to help cover the cost of refreshments during the auction.

For more information call Tulla Booth at 725-3100, Rebecca Cooper at 725-7707, or Jayne Young at 725-7545.