The 85th Artist Members Exhibition at Guild Hall opened on November 17, and the show has now been extended and will remain on view through Sunday, January 26.
The annual show began in 1938 and is the oldest nonjuried museum exhibition on Long Island. This lively presentation features more than 300 works and showcases a variety of media. As in the traditional salon exhibition, works by established artists are exhibited alongside those of emerging talents and first-time exhibitors, offering a sampling of artistic practices within the East End community. This initiative provides an opportunity for audiences to support and celebrate the artists who live and work in the immediate region and for artists to sell their works. In turn, artists show their commitment to and support of Guild Hall. Early participants included James Brooks, Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Alfonso Ossorio, Charlotte Park, Jackson Pollock and many more.
For this current exhibition, awards juror Storm Ascher selected Michael A. Butler of Sag Harbor as the Top Honors recipient for his work “Lilies of the Field.” Butler is an artist, historian and humanitarian, and describes himself as an intuitive self-taught artist, defining his style as narrative folk art and primarily works in acrylic. The intricate details in his small-scale works have a powerful impact. As the Top Honors Award recipient, Butler will receive a future solo exhibition at Guild Hall. In addition to the Top Honors prize, Ascher awarded Honorable Mentions to Lilah Yektai, Ross Watts, Anita Giraldo, Raphael Ogoe and Kenneth Jackson.
Guild Hall is at 158 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For details visit guildhall.org.
Staff Writer on Jan 3, 2025