Southampton, NY—The inaugural Art Southampton last summer proved to be a game changer on the Hamptons’ cultural landscape. For the first time, Long Island’s East End hosted an art fair that catered to an underserved group of serious international collectors, and the response was astounding. From the opening-night VIP Preview benefitting Southampton Hospital, word of mouth was extremely positive, and what had been termed the art event of the season became the event of summer with attendees calling it “a not to be missed experience.” The 2012 VIP Preview attracted more than 3,600 collectors, art advisors, curators, designers and Southampton Hospital supporters; the overall five-day fair attracted more than 11,500 attendees.
Art Southampton, the premiere international contemporary and modern art fair for acquiring the finest works of art available in the Hamptons, will return at the height of the social and cultural season this summer, July 25 through 29.
The fair will again take place in a spectacular 100,000 sq. ft pavilion on the grounds of the sprawling 18-acre Southampton Elks Lodge adjacent to the Southampton Golf Club located directly off Route 27 A.
The fair’s exclusive VIP Preview on July 25 allowing VIP guests the first opportunity to acquire works will continue to benefit the Southampton Hospital and provide the perfect backdrop as a kickoff event for the summer’s most important art event in the Hamptons. The invitation-only evening will also serve as kickoff to the Hospital’s 55th Annual Summer Party “Magical Madrid” on August 3 which will move for the first time ever to the Art Southampton pavilion. The move is a bonus for the gala supporters who will enjoy the party of the season in air conditioned comfort and will have the luxury of on-site contained parking. Once again Jean Shafiroff, who broke fundraising records helming two previous summer parties, will chair the event and Audrey Gruss will be the Honorary Chair.
“Southampton Hospital is delighted to join with Art Southampton in strengthening the collaboration we began last summer, and we are thrilled that they have again chosen us to be the beneficiary of proceeds from their opening-night VIP Preview. Even more exciting, the Art Southampton pavilion will serve as the 2013 site for the hospital’s 55th Annual Summer Party, proceeds of which will benefit the Jenny and John Paulson Emergency Department and the new Audrey and Martin Gruss Heart and Stroke Center,” said Bob Chaloner, President and CEO, Southampton Hospital.
The pavilion will offer amenities for all guests and a unique ambience and design that is unrivaled by any other art event in the Hamptons. The proximity of the Art Southampton pavilion will provide convenient access for residents and collectors living on Long Island, the greater New York and the Tri-State area who visit the Hamptons frequently during the summer. Ample complimentary on-site parking and valet service will be available.
“We are extremely excited to again partner with the Southampton Hospital for our VIP Preview and to host the second edition of Art Southampton. The ability to donate the infrastructure of the Art Southampton pavilion allows our organization and exhibitors to support the Southampton Hospital in its fundraising initiatives that will ultimately benefit everyone who lives, vacations or visits the Hamptons,” said Nick Korniloff, Founder, Director and Partner, Art Southampton.
