A few of the constants one experiences after living here on the East End for a while is the unrelenting sense of collaboration and community.
Once you get past all the ritzy ruckus that is synonymous with the Hamptons, there’s a truly visceral vibe of “love thy neighbor” that applies to both natives and newbies alike. All kidding aside, there are people living in the Hamptons that need help. This Saturday, Oct. 26, one of many South Fork-based nonprofits, the Southampton Artists Association, is hosting a fundraising exhibit “Art from the Heart” to benefit another locally charged organization, Heart of the Hamptons.
Made up of East End-based painters, photographers, sculptors and multimedia artists, the SAA convenes a few times every year, exhibiting their collective works at the Levitas Gallery within the Southampton Cultural Center, located at 25 Pond Road in Southampton.
“These Suffolk County residents bring to the table a wide variety of professional background and life experiences,” says the SAA’s website. “This grassroots organization welcomes all and encourages members to hone their skills, exchange ideas and inspire one another.”
While the exhibit officially opens this Friday, Oct. 25, on Saturday, there’s a public reception from 1 to 5 p.m. during which attendees will have an opportunity to purchase a featured piece of art. Each work measures in at 10-by-10 inches and will cost $200 each. Heart of the Hamptons, a Southampton-based nonprofit that acts as both a food pantry and emergency assistance outreach organization, will get 50% of the proceeds, while the artist gets the other 50%.
Founded over four decades ago, Heart of the Hamptons has made it their mission to help those in need, officially becoming a nonprofit back in 2003. Headquartered at 168 Hill St., HOH aids more than 2,100 households each year, offering food pantry services, crisis intervention, medical assistance funding, aid for seniors, emergency funds for rental assistance, school supplies and summer lunches for school children, and much, much more. This year alone, Heart of the Hamptons distributed over 300,000 meals throughout the East End.
“Art from the Heart” will be on view through Nov. 11. To RSVP for Saturday’s reception, click here.
