Light + Air, the Watermill Center's first annual member event, will feature workshops, a performance, a private art sale, and the first-ever dinner in the residence, on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. Designed by Roger Ferris, the residence houses the center's year-round artists-in-residence and is usually closed to the public.
"Light + Air is a new end-of-year fund-raiser supporting our artists-in-residence and connecting the community through the lens of art, creativity and inspiration," said Elise Herget, the center's managing director. "We are happy to collaborate with Hamptons Community Outreach to collect art supplies for children in the community. Guests are welcome to bring new, unwrapped art supplies to support this cause. The Watermill Center is a place where everyone can visit and find the time, space, and freedom to create and inspire. This event is designed to do just that."
Open to all ages from 3 to 6 p.m., and, starting at 6:30, to adults over 21 for the dinner, prepared by Jason Weiner from Almond restaurant, the event also includes an exhibition and painting workshop with James Ulmer, currently in residence. Whether people or animals, still lifes or landscapes, Mr. Ulmer's paintings employ a simple and universal vocabulary that depicts childlike elements with soft geometric forms.
"Dance for Everybody" is a workshop with Ogemdi Ude, a Nigerian-American dance and interdisciplinary artist who was a 2022 resident at the center. Her work focuses on "Black femme legacies and futures, grief, and memory," according to the artist. The head of movement for theater at the Professional Performing Arts School, she has performed at BAM's Dance Africa Festival and at Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village.
ESTAR(SER) is an international research collective concerned with the "history and mythology of attention." Its installations and performances have taken place at MoMA PS1, the Museo Tamayo in Mexico City, and Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Group members will lead an "attention practice" using objects from the center's collection.
A special performance by Craig Harris, a trombonist, composer, and bandleader, will happen at 5:30. Early in his career, Mr. Harris toured with Sun Ra, and he has continued to perform with progressive musicians and composers. His focus on social injustice and humanity is reflected in such works at "TriHarlenium," a 30-year musical time capsule of Harlem.
Finally, a holiday gift shop will showcase Robert Wilson's selections of vessels, along with snacks, a D.J., and hot chocolate and wine to be enjoyed around a bonfire.
Tickets to Light + Air, including the workshops, are $100, $150 for two. With the private dinner, which will have wine pairings from Channing Daughters Winery, the price is $250. All ticket buyers are automatically enrolled as 2024 members of the center.
Children under 18 will be admitted free to the afternoon events.
