Marking its 125th year, the Parrish Art Museum will enter its next era with invigorated curatorial and administrative leadership. The arts institution, headquartered in Water Mill for the past decade, has appointed Corinne Erni as its chief curator of art and education. She replaces Alicia G. Longwell, who retired in October after 38 years as chief curator.
Since 2016, Ms. Erni has held curatorial roles at the Parrish, starting as curator of special projects and moving up through the ranks to become deputy director of curatorial affairs, a position she will keep along with her new responsibilities.
In a release, the new chief curator acknowledged her mentors, Ms. Longwell and Terrie Sultan, the director who first hired her. She said she looks forward to continuing her working relationship with Monica Ramirez-Montagut, who was appointed as the museum's director last year.
Hints that both see beyond the East End's border for the future of the Parrish's programs have been apparent over the past year. Ms. Ramirez-Montagut said in February that the Parrish's artists and programs are "part of an international and global dialogue. I think we need to be able to be more purposeful in leveraging that when we tell the story of the Parrish."
Ms. Ramirez-Montagut is cognizant as well of the new ways museums and their purpose are being defined. An active member of the International Council of Museums, she noted that the group had recently redefined the mission of museums to emphasize their service to society. In addition to being open and accessible, museums' role should be to research, collect, conserve, interpret, and exhibit "tangible and intangible heritage" and "foster diversity and sustainability."
"I am thrilled to step into this new role at the Parrish to advance the museum's artistic vision," Ms. Erni said, "continuing and renewing the dialogue between the East End's rich artistic life and the global art scene." She added that she has "developed a deep love and appreciation for . . . all that the Parrish stands for -- the rich variety of artists who are making their mark beyond the East End, the breathtaking architecture and landscape, and the many wonderful communities we serve and partner with."
Ms. Erni is now working on the 125th anniversary project "Artists Choose Parrish," a yearlong exhibition series featuring 41 artists who have lived or worked on the East End. They have been asked to select objects from the museum's collection to react to or use as inspiration in their work. Ms. Erni will moderate a discussion among participants -- Nanette Carter, Eric Fischl, Nina Yankowitz, and Pamela Council -- on Saturday at 7 p.m. The talk is $16, $12 for senior citizens, and free for members, students, and children.
