“Artists in Residence: Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios of the East End,” the East Hampton Historical Society’s new exhibition at Clinton Academy, will have an opening reception next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibition is a collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios program, which is dedicated to telling “site-specific” stories of American artists through the preservation of their workspaces and residences, and will feature the program’s seven designated sites on the South Fork: the Arts Center at Duck Creek, the D’Amico Institute of Art, the Elaine de Kooning House, the LongHouse Reserve, the Madoo Conservancy, the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, and the Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Home and Studio.
“Part of the idea was to formulate an exhibition that doesn’t necessarily pull a ton of objects from our collection,” Anna Muller, curator of collections for the historical society, said, as most of its collection is now in temporary storage while a new facility is being built at Mulford Farm. “But it was a great opportunity to work with our affiliated sites on the East End and have us all collaborate to drum up interest — maybe share with the public that, hey, these things exist, go visit them.”
Composed of photographs of the properties alongside original artworks created by their occupants, the show will offer visitors an intimate new perspective on celebrated artists through an exploration of what brought each of them to the area, and how the location influenced their artistic practices.
“Many of them were friends, like Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner were friends with Robert Dash, they were friends with Elaine de Kooning,” Ms. Muller said. “But it’s funny because I also find other through-lines, or similar themes — like recycling, and using recycled materials not only to create art, but to create their homes and buildings. A lot of the artists were also very avid gardeners, and I think that may be part of what drew them to the East End.”
Visitors will also learn how they can see each property for themselves, to delve deeper into the artists’ individual stories. “There are many artists and a lot of topics to cover, so there is a brief breakdown of each one. But it also serves as a little sampling, because if you want to learn more you can go see these sites and learn directly from the studios and spaces.”
The exhibition will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Clinton Academy through Aug. 31. Admission is free.
