At Home In Sag Harbor

Sage and Madison, a boutique located in a small 18th century barn on Sage Street in Sag Harbor, will launch an exhibition of the work of Michael A. Butler with an opening reception on Saturday, October 9, from 5 to 7 p.m. (Raindate: Saturday, October 16, 5 to 7 p.m.). All works will be available for purchase. In addition, during the opening, Stacy Dermont, co-author of “The Hamptons Kitchen” and friend of Michael Butler, will be on hand to sign copies of her book.

“It’s a great fit for us — Michael’s paintings are ‘so old Sag Harbor’ and so beautiful, like little, colorful windows into the past,” says Chris Coffee, owner of Sage and Madison. “Though diminutive, they’re charming Sag Harbor statement pieces — so we’re calling this show ‘At Home in Sag Harbor.’ It’ll stay up through the December holidays.”

Butler owned his own art gallery, the Jonkonnu Gallery in the late 1990s on Madison Street, next door to Sage and Madison’s complex of historic buildings.

“It really is like a homecoming,” Butler says. “I’ve loved this store since it opened last year. They have unique things and I’m delighted to show my work alongside them. I often buy personal gifts here for friends — and for myself. Of course, my dear friend Stacy Dermont will join us to sign copies of her book. She lives a block away and she introduced me to Chris and his shop.”

Butler has previously shown locally at the Sag Harbor Historical and Whaling Museum and at The Eastville Community Historical Society’s Heritage House. Dermont curated an exhibition of Butler’s work 15 years ago as part of a group show at the Bridgehampton Museum that also featured work by Jake Patterson (now known as “Yung Jake”), the late Reynold Ruffins, and the late JoAnne Williams Carter.

Butler’s paintings depict different aspects of Sag Harbor life, from beach scenes and whalers back in the day, to real-life neighbors and fractal images of local birds. Eclectic, all the images shown will be of — or inspired by — life in the village, rendered in acrylics. During the run of the exhibition, Butler will give a demonstration of his painting techniques, and other events will be planned as well.

Sage and Madison is at 31 Madison Street in Sag Harbor. For more information visit sageandmadison.com.