Top Honors Go to Michael Butler at Guild Hall’s 85th Artist Member Exhibition

The 85th Artist Members Exhibition and “Linda Reville Eisenberg: STILL” opened at Guild Hall on Saturday, November 16, with a members-only reception. Earlier in the day, awards juror Storm Ascher, founder of Superposition Gallery and The Hamptons Black Arts Council, 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.

In addition to the Top Honors prize, Ascher awarded Honorable Mentions to Lilah Yektai, Ross Watts, Anita Giraldo, Raphael Ogoe and Kenneth Jackson.

“I am honored to be selected as the awards juror for Guild Hall’s 85th Annual Artist Members Exhibition, a longstanding tradition that has contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of the Hamptons,” shared Storm Ascher. “My work with The Hamptons Black Arts Council and Superposition Gallery has always been rooted in building community and supporting diverse artistic voices, which aligns closely with Guild Hall’s mission of fostering creativity and inclusivity on the East End, where I grew into the arts worker I am today.

“It is a privilege to join the esteemed history of past jurors who have celebrated the dynamic talent of this region,” she added. “I look forward to bringing together our shared values to highlight the depth and breadth of this year’s submissions, honoring both the artists and the rich legacy of this exhibition.”

Since its inception, the Artist Members Exhibition has supported artists and Guild Hall by offering the works on view for purchase, with proceeds split evenly between the two. Works in all forms of media, from painting to sculpture, can be found on Guild Hall’s Shopify page, shopart.guildhall.org, with prices ranging from $99 to $24,000.

The Artist Members Exhibition began in 1938, and Guild Hall continues this longstanding, democratic tradition as the oldest nonjuried museum exhibition on Long Island. This year’s presentation features over 300 works and showcases a variety of media. As with the concept of the salon, established artists are exhibited alongside emerging talent and first-time exhibitors, offering a glimpse of artistic practices within our community. This initiative allows audiences to support and celebrate the artists who live and work in our immediate region. Early AME participants included James Brooks, Lee Krasner, Willem de Kooning, Alfonso Ossorio, Charlotte Park, Jackson Pollock and more.

In addition to the Artist Members Exhibition, presented in the Marks Family Galleries North and South, 2021 Top Honors winner Linda Reville Eisenberg’s “STILL” can be viewed in the Tito Spiga Exhibition Space. Eisenberg, who was chosen by Gagosian director and curator Antwaun Sargent, has selected works that emphasize the intimate connection between creator and subject matter, as for Eisenberg, painting is an act of discovery and curiosity, akin to meeting a new person. Capturing the timeless and universal qualities of still life, her paintings elevate her subjects, celebrating quiet simplicity and offering calm amid the clamor of contemporary life.

“Presenting both the Artist Members Exhibition and the solo presentation of the 2021 top honors winner, Linda Reville Eisenberg allows a cohesive thread between the important aspects of the members exhibition and Guild Hall’s mission — community and service to artists at all stages of their careers,” said Melanie Crader, Guild Hall’s Museum Director & Curator of Visual Arts. “It was a pleasure to finally work with this year’s awards juror, Storm Ascher, an arts professional whose dedication to community, inclusion, and innovative modes of arts production is truly inspiring.”

In conjunction with the exhibitions, gallery tours will be offered on Sunday, December 8, at noon with select AME awards recipients and with Linda Reville Eisenberg on Sunday, December 15, at noon. Both exhibitions are open through January 5, 2025. Galleries are open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and museum admission is free.

Guild Hall is at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For details, visit guildhall.org.