Ralph Gibson, acclaimed photographer, joins us as November’s Insight Sunday speaker. Freshly returned from overseas and amidst a successful exhibition at Parrish Art Museum entitled Nature: Object, Gibson presents The Church’s audience with an exclusive look into his developing project Italia. The forthcoming photography book will be published in 2025 as part of the 100^th Year anniversary celebration of Leica Camera. Join us as we explore the driving forces behind his current work, glean insight from his experiences, and see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the publication of a photography book. After the discussion, there will be a Q&A with the artist.

Fiordaliso will be joined by Lindsay Morris, whose photography is included in the newly released book. The two will discuss the inspiration and impetus for the book and highlight the collaborative process, a process that Fiordaliso feels is gaining new traction in the post-COVID world.  There will be a limited number of signed books available for those in attendance. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A with the audience.  

“There is not a particle of life which does not bear poetry within it.”  Gustave Flaubert

Philip Schultz, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is currently penning a new book of poetry (title pending). You are invited to a poetic Saturday evening, as Schultz reads new work from his latest endeavor, treating audiences to an advanced preview of the work, and revisits some of his older work. Schultz will also discuss his inspirations, provide insight into his process, and welcome the curious to learn more about the wordsmith.

One of the long-form poems included in the new collection, entitled Something and Nothing, is an Ekphrastic work that draws inspiration from Arshile Gorky’s painting The Artist and His Mother while also tilting the lens of introspection upon his own mother. “Mothers,” Schultz says, “the force that drives humanity’s engine. Women. Sacrifice.”

Join us for an emotionally empowering evening with Mary Lou Falcone as she shares her journey as a caregiver. The internationally esteemed publicist/strategist and author of the book I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING: Scenes of Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia, will speak about her life, share her story, read from her book, and invite the audience to a reflective Q&A at the end of her presentation.

Celine Antoine is a certified breathwork guide who takes great joy in helping people to reconnect to the pure intention of their hearts. Join us for this Wellness Monday as Céline leads us in an intensive Healing Breathwork class.  Bring your yoga mat and a blanket for comfort, and wear comfortable clothing, as we mindfully use our breath to strengthen our connection to self and access the secrets of our hearts where our purest intention and inner wisdom reside.

Query: What does “The Pursuit of Happiness” mean to you?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

Paul Davis moved from Oklahoma to New York at age 17, with the ambition, inspiration, and vision to create exciting graphic art. He succeeded.

 Considered a master, the award-winning, internationally renowned artist joins us for an inspiring evening discussion. Come hear Davis speak about his time with Push Pin Studios, share his long-standing Sag Harbor history and the inspiration he found here, and discuss topics like his early influences and a career that has taken him all over the world. Following the program, there will be a thoughtful Q&A with the audience.

Welcome Ginny Edwards, graphic designer, to our Knowledge Friday series. Join us for a remarkable evening of stories as Ginny shares her perspective of why “design matters.” After the discussion, the audience is invited to a Q&A with the speaker. Gain perspective as she shares how she was “taught to see” by her drawing tutor David Hockney. Learn about her solo pitch to Steve Jobs and John Sculley when she worked at Apple. Discover how this designer found herself smuggling banned art and political cartoons out of Russia. Ginny’s career working with companies like Apple, Estee Lauder, and her own business in India and Hong Kong has led her all over the world.

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” W.B. Yeats

Did you know that Halloween has Irish origins? What do you know about Samhain? Bring your yoga mats and step into the circle with Kate Gilman and Jess Forsythe of S O U N D L O V E, and very special guest Karina Melvin flown in from Dublin. The trio invites participants to an immersive inner journey through inspired breath, sound and mediation ritual, an exploration of the significance of Samhain, and a closer look at seasonal botanical magic.

Learn the origin and rituals of Samhain, a special time of year on the ancient pagan and Celtic calendars, and one of the root cultural traditions associated with our modern annual celebration of Halloween. Traditionally celebrated October 31 – November 1, the holiday marks a time in which the veil between worlds thins, where communication with ancestors and the spirit world is possible and it prepares us internally for the coming darkness of winter. In addition to the reading, local historian HUGH KING will share with us the true story of the East End woman, Elizabeth Garlick, who stood accused of witchcraft, being marked responsible for a string of mysterious occurrences and a death in the then English settlement.  

As the final resting place for more than 4,000 souls, Oakland Cemetery holds inside its gates the unique and special history of this seaside village. Join April Gornik, The Church’s co-founder, for a guided tour of the historic landmark. Founded in 1840, the cemetery includes more 18^th and 19^th-century sea captains than any other Long Island cemetery as well as the remains of incredible people in Sag Harbor’s Legacy and of great historical influence. This includes many of The Church’s own Sag Harbor Saints such as Nelson Algren, George Balanchine, Gordon Matta Clark, Spalding Grey, Daisy Tapley, James Salter and Lanford Wilson.  

Join us for an evening of history and culture as we invite audiences to a dramatic reading from LUCY BOYLE’S latest play in progress, titled GOODY GARLICK.  In 1658, Thirty five years before allegations of witchcraft swept through Salem, Massachusetts sparking the infamous witch hunt, there was a trial here on the East End of Long Island that rocked the village of East Hampton. Meet Goody Garlick!  Featuring a cast of incredible actors including, JENNIFER MUDGE, CHRIS COFFEY, and REILLY ROSE, among others soon to be announced, and joined by her incredible director SHERYL KALLER, Boyle takes audiences back in time with a modern perspective of the events unfolding.

 In addition to the reading, local historian HUGH KING will share with us the true story of the East End woman, Elizabeth Garlick, who stood accused of witchcraft, being marked responsible for a string of mysterious occurrences and a death in the then English settlement.  

Nicole Windenberger kicks off our Fall Wellness Monday Program with an introductory workshop in Vedic Dance. Experience the basics of this Indian dance tradition that is grounded in the experience of consciousness and transcendence and is rich in physiological benefits, bringing practitioners good health and happiness. 

“Rejection and belonging are two sides of the same coin,” says  Michelle Fiordaliso, acclaimed essayist. Join us for an Insight Sunday (at a new time!)  that looks behind the scenes of Fiordaliso’s latest work Rejected: Essays on Belonging. “These essays are about self-love, embracing the difficult transitions, and discovering community even in times of isolation,” she explains.

Fiordaliso will be joined by Lindsay Morris, whose photography is included in the newly released book. The two will discuss the inspiration and impetus for the book and highlight the collaborative process, a process that Fiordaliso feels is gaining new traction in the post-COVID world.  There will be a limited number of signed books available for those in attendance. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A with the audience.  

The Church in collaboration with the Sag Harbor Cinema will present a screening of the documentary  Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight. This screening has been programmed in tandem with The Church’s fall exhibition Yes, No, WOW: The Push Pin Studios Revolution. Following the film there will be an intriguing conversation between director Wendy Keys and April Gornik, The Church co-founder and exhibition co-curator.

Milton Glaser is one of the six artists featured in the exhibition, as he was a founding member of Push Pin studios. In 1968 he founded the New York magazine with Clay Felker and is best known for designing the “I ♥ NY” logo in the 1970’s when New York City was at its most dangerous and nearly bankrupt. The simple yet ingenious design instantly became the center of a campaign to revive New York and “I ♥ NY”  has endured as one of the most recognizable icons in the world.

Query: What is Charisma?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

“I am attracted to the energy and drama of people dealing with difficult situations and the graphic invention that drawing these predicaments inspires in me,” says artist, illustrator, and teacher James McMullan.

Join us on the first full day of our Fall exhibition, Yes, No, WOW: The Push Pin Studios Revolution as McMullan, one of the six artists featured in the show is joined by April Gornik, in conversation, the show’s curator and The Church co-founder. The two will discuss the artist’s time with Push Pin Studios, reflect on his time in Sag Harbor and the role it played in his work, as well as touch on the various milestones and obstacles he encountered in his career. After the discussion, there will be an insightful Q&A with the audience.

Query: How do you make your pain powerful?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

Susan Wood knows about capturing the essence of the human spirit. The international trailblazing photographer and journalist, whose work has spanned six decades, joins us for a special Knowledge Friday that bridges our Summer and our Fall Exhibitions. Join us and hear from an influential feminist who loves to laugh and who has had a substantial career in the editorial and advertising world. Susan will be joined in conversation by April Gornik and will share stories from her invaluable experiences. After the talk, there will be a brief Q&A.

From her early days in the iconic “Mad Men” era of Madison Avenue to becoming the winner of Art Director and Clio awards, Susan’s work has become a legacy of her curiosity and determination. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. In addition to being a strong voice of the feminist movement, her editorial and advertising work was seen regularly in magazines like Vogue, Look, Life, People, and New York Magazine. Her ability to capture the essence of human vitality led to her work with cultural icons like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Betty Friedan, Norman Mailer, and many more. Her knowledge, experience, and energetic spirit are a gift to any aspiring photojournalist and storyteller.

“Hold fast to dreams / for if dreams die / life is a broken-winged bird / that cannot fly.” - Langston Hughes

Join us for the worldwide celebration of National Poetry Day with a local focus and help us usher in a new block of poetry-specific programming. The Power of Poetry, invites us to come together and celebrate poetry, the beauty of words, and the ability to capture the human experience with a community-driven poetry read-in. Each read-in will present a curated selection of poems, stitched together by a common thematic thread. For our first iteration, “Verse 1,” we will read from a curated collection of poems inspired by the Saints of Sag Harbor, a semi-permanent window installation depicting creative visionaries from Sag Harbor’s past. The reading will include poems by Nelson Algren, Olivia Ward Bush-Banks, Langston Hughes, Herman Melville, and E.L. Doctorow.

Query: How do you read the world?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

Join us for a conversation between contemporary Pasifika artists Dan Taulapapa McMullin and Gisela Charfauros McDaniel as they come together to “talk story” about their respective trajectories and artistic practices. Pasifika, referring to the Indigenous people of the Pacific Islands, is made up of several cultures that primarily include Samoan, Cook Islands Māori, Tongan, Niuean, Fijian, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and Kiribati.

Query: How has capitalism shaped who you are?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

Co-presented with Dia Art Foundation, an exclusive dialogue between two pioneering icons, Liliana Porter and Coco Fusco, and moderated by MoMA Curator of Latin American Art and Director of the Cisneros Center, Inés Katzenstein. An introduction will be given by Sheri Pasquarella, Executive Director of The Church, and Humberto Moro, Deputy Director of Program at Dia Art Foundation.

Rev. Barbara Ann Michaels, Jester of the Peace wants to laugh with you about your life. She promises you can “Find the Funny, Find the Freedom.” Join us, as the interfaith minister, performance artist, and wellness leader invites participants to learn firsthand why humor is sanity and the harbinger of healing. Circus of the Heart: #ItsFunnyNow encourages us all to investigate our lives to find stories that were hard to experience when they were happening, yet, over time, have become funny to us, in part, today.

Denise Silva-Dennis knew the moment she picked up a pencil and paper that she had an innate talent. “As for finding my voice,” she told the National Woman’s History Museum “I never felt like I lost it. Growing up immersed in two different Native American nations, I always knew what I wanted to do.”

Join us this Insight Sunday as we explore Denise’s poignant painting Land Back Butter, peering into how humor is woven into her work. This work is included in our exhibition, Are You Joking? Women & Humor. Following the discussion, Denise will field questions from the audience.

Jewel, the four-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and mental health pioneer, is coming to The Church! We invite you to an evening of dialogue and exploration, insight and discovery, as the well-known musician, poet, and visual artist enters conversation with Sheri Pasquarella, Executive Director of The Church. Earlier this spring, the award-winning musician made her debut and mark in the visual arts world presenting The Portal: An Art Experience by Jewel at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. The exhibition explored the intersection of music, mental health, technology, and art. Join us as we welcome her to our community and learn how her visual arts disciplines helped her in crafting melodic structure in songs, how it became essential in her healing and mental health advocacy, what it was like to create and present the immersive art experience at Crystal Bridges, what her creative practice is like when writing poetry, what were challenges she faced penning her autobiography, and more.

Join us in the Garden for a Sunday morning reading with writers, David Grundy, poet and author of A Black Arts Poetry Machine: Amiri Baraka and the Umbra Poets, and Hugh Ryan curator and author of The Women’s House of Detention: A Queer History of a Forgotten Prison. Dive into the impetus behind the work and gain insight into their practices as the two discuss their inspirations and share excerpts from their current work in process. Explore two different genres as David reads from his poetry in process, and Hugh reads from his memoir-in-essays currently underway. A Q&A with those in attendance will take place after the discussion.

What is humor? Who gets to determine what is funny? Where do women comics find themselves in the comedy world? Is it harder to be a comedian these days? Join us as three brilliant women, writers, and comedians come together in conversation to talk about these questions and more.

We will hear from Kestrin Pantera, an award-winning film writer/director, Nancy Parker, comedy legend, and Caroline Waxler, acclaimed writer and producer. These ladies will be joined by Moderator Abby Russell, of our local Sticks and Stones Comedy Club, here in Southampton.

Query: How weird are you?

In the style of a traditional Quaker meeting, each iteration of Still, Small Voice will center around an organizing question about creativity, community, and being human in the 21st century. The format of the meeting is unprogrammed and anchored in silence, but receptive to the insights of all participants. It is a space grounded in humanistic pluralism and is welcoming and open to all. Facilitated by former Quaker clerk Erling Hope, the series will be held in The Church’s library.

Diana Diamond is a pre-eminent expert on personality disorders, attachment, and narcissism. Join us for the opportunity to gain the invaluable knowledge of one of our distinguished community members as she discusses the concept of narcissism as a clinical and social phenomenon. Dr. Diamond will discuss the impetus for her latest book Treating Pathological Narcissism with Transference-Focused Psychotherapy. The discussion will illuminate the special challenges of treating individuals with narcissistic traits or narcissistic personality disorder who retreat from reality into compensatory grandiosity, thereby compromising their lives and relationships. She will also discuss how to recognize when narcissistic traits become pathological and require treatment, and how practitioners can engage and connect more deeply with patients suffering from pathological narcissism. After the discussion, there will be a lively Q&A.

Frank Bruni, bestselling author and longtime New York Times columnist, comes to The Church to discuss his book The Age of Grievance. Join us as we explore his lucid and powerful examination of the ways in which grievance has come to define our current culture and politics, on both the right and left. Following this exploration there will be an insightful Q&A with the audience. Books will be available for purchase and to be signed.