Explore new connections between visual art and the written word in a two-session literary workshop led by poet and scholar Star Black. This ongoing series of workshops  focuses on the idea of ekphrasis, an ancient Greek term meaning “the use of detailed description of a work of visual art as a literary device.”

Mila Tina invites you to get in touch with your intrinsic fabric of feminine energy and existence and explore the multidimensionality of your identity through the lens of her creative expression.

For this month’s Insight Sunday, the interdisciplinary artist will present her short film Mujer Luna and guide a dynamic exploration of its themes. Well-known throughout the East End as a musician and drummer, and for her rhythm and movement workshops, Mila Tina in Mujer Luna expands upon the inspiration at the root of all her work: the legendary women and archetypes of femininity that reside within all people. The presentation will be followed by an audience Q&A.

Mujer Luna, translating to “moon woman,” is a gentle nod to the Moon as a symbol of feminine identity. Mila Tina’s work is an expression of liberated emotions, a catalyst for transformation, and an exploration of the grounds that connect us deeply to ourselves and to others. Join us as we learn about this beautiful project that is the epicenter of her multifaceted artistic practice and vision.

Reflections in Music returns to The Church with internationally acclaimed basso Matthew Rose. The singer, who performs frequently in great opera houses of the world, including over 100 performances to date with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, will fill The Church’s vaulted hall with the melancholy beauty of Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise.  He will be joined by distinguished pianist Brian Zeger.  

Join us for an unforgettable performance as Rose sings the poetic tale of a traveler heading out on a solitary journey through the snow, in winter, to come to terms with the loss of a great love. 

Experience the love in harmony this Valentine’s day as we explore the profound beauty of the natural world with Mary Edwards. With her warm presence, the internationally renowned composer and environmental sound artist will take us on a sonic journey inspired by the Arctic and beyond, connecting us deeply with the rhythms of our planet. The pianist will be joined by her quartet to create an intimate evening of love for the natural world.

New sessions of Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking are here! In response to increased popularity and demand, we are excited to announce that there are now 2 different levels for the program: INTRO and ADVANCED. This is an INTRO session, there are no prerequisites to attend.

Join us as we awaken our body’s natural ability to harmonize using the ancient Japanese practice of Jin Shin Jyutsu with wellness leaders Susan Remkus-Denis and Maria Maier. The pair will give a brief presentation about the origins and basic components of the practice, outlining why it is an effective and ideal approach for healthcare professionals and self-care seekers alike. After the presentation, attendees will apply the technique while relaxing with the sounds of crystal singing bowls.

“One of the best ways to understand a people is to observe their dance,” says Johnnoy Johnson. Join Johnnoy as he shares his love for dance, his knowledge, and his passion for his Jamaican roots, as he highlights and educates us on the movements that are an inextricable part of Afro-Caribbean spirituality. Dance plays a vital role in Afro-Caribbean religious tradition and is one of the outlets used to connect and aid those of African descent in identifying where their ancestors lived in the Motherland (Africa).

Participants will learn about different deities and their associated gestures; explore movement vocabularies from Jamaica, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti; and gain an understanding of ritualistic dance and how it has become part of the contemporary dance and choreography tradition. While this is a movement-based workshop and participants will be moving, no prior skill level is required. The dancing will be easily adaptable for all ages and fitness levels.

*Space is limited please register in advance.

Join Eric Fischl as he muses on three archetypes for emotional and aspirational conditions that all cultures ponder through art: Heaven, Hell, and the Garden. Speaking specifically about the visual arts of Western art history, Eric’s lecture will explore how shape, color, line, gesture, pattern, and scale — the language an artist chooses to express feelings, thoughts, dreams, etc. — can be further explored within the dimension of these three classic motifs.  “The archetypes of Heaven, Hell, and the Garden are handy generalizations for the exploration of ways to look at individual works of art though, albeit a little silly,” Eric notes. Come explore works of art (in projection) and hear Eric’s musings and interpretations of a wonderful array of paintings and drawings from the past 700 or so years.  

This program is supported by the Fund for Community & Education at The Church

Come hungry for knowledge! Ryunosuke “Jesse” Matsuoka, Restaurateur of Sen and K Pasa, joins us for our first Knowledge Friday of the year and invites you to explore the “Brotherhood of the Traveling Palate.” Hear how sitting down at a table with a family for true local culture and cuisine, immersion beyond the standard tourist favorites, shaped his understanding and appreciation of diverse culinary art and etiquette. Learn how this knowledge has helped him to open several successful restaurants of varying cultural cuisines. Experience his journey to becoming a sake expert and founder of the American Sake Association. Find out, once and for all, what the diet of a Sumo wrestler looks like and what it takes to prepare. After the discussion, there will be a Q&A with the renaissance man of restaurants.

A Sag Harbor resident and current owner of the beloved Sen restaurant on Main Street, Jesse has a passion for all things culinary that began when he was a kid growing up in both Japan and Hawaii. He is an East Ender, but his appetite for cultural culinary curiosity has led him on off-season adventures around the globe., deepening his appreciation for the culinary arts and giving him a unique perspective and taste.

This program is supported in part by Susan Lacy, Michele & Steve Pesner, Clifford Ross & Nicolette Donnen, and the Friends of the Fund for Music.

Clack-clack-clackity-clack, ping! It’s time for different type of music in a whole new key at The Church as we welcome audiences to a live performance with the Boston Typewriter Orchestra. By way of rhythmic typewriter manipulation, this collective of keystroke musicians entertains audiences of all ages with performance, comedy, and satire. The rhythm-heavy performance will see typewriters mimicking a wide variety of sounds, from bongo drum grooves to heavy metal (no pun intended) jams. For more than 20 years, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra has been the only typewriter orchestra in existence, and the evening is guaranteed to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

The Church’s Late Night Open Studio is back and is inviting typewriter enthusiasts to join! LNOS is a casual and no-pressure environment for artists of all types to gather and make art together. And if you have one…BYOT! (bring your own typewriter) and celebrate our latest exhibition as we unplug from digital distractions. The Church is passionate about welcoming artists to its space and establishing an oasis for creative inspiration and connection. Join us for the evening where artists of all mediums are invited to join, socialize, listen to music, and work on any projects, whether past or current. It’s a hang-out! Come break out of your solitary studio and make art at The Church!

“I think, to a poet, the human community is like the community of birds to a bird, singing to each other. Love is one of the reasons we are singing to one another, love of language itself, love of sound, love of singing itself, and love of the other birds.” -- Sharon Olds

The Power of Poetry returns. After a warmly received inaugural program, Verse 1 – The Sag Harbor Saints, The Church is excited to invite you to join us for the second iteration, Verse 2 – An Ode to Some Odes, as we explore the voices of three acclaimed poets: Paul Auster, Denis Johnson, and Sharon Olds.

This program is supported by Emily Tisch Sussman and Kevin Craw and the Fund for Community & Education.

Spread the word. There is a new program series starting at The Church! Welcome to the Family Fun Drop-In Creativity Lab, where parents and kids can connect via creativity as they craft a take-home project.

 Will it be festive windchimes? Ceramics in need of color and life? A blank canvas to be painted together? There’s only one way to find out! Drop in!

*Supplies and space will be available on a first-come first-served basis. Reserve tickets in advance to be guaranteed a spot in the lab.

This program is supported in part by Steve and Michele Pesner, Clifford Ross and Nicolette Donen, Susan Lacy and the Friends of the Fund for Music at The Church.

COME BE THE FIRST TO HEAR THREE NEW WORKS PERFORMED BY ROOMFUL OF TEETH!

Two-time Grammy winners Roomful of Teeth present a performance featuring new music by some of today’s most visionary composers, including Christopher Cerrone, Mingjia Chen, and Eliza Bragg. The Church is thrilled to welcome the vocal ensemble back for a week-long residency as they workshop these three new works, in preparation for their premiere performance at The Church on Thursday, January 23, to be followed by a sold-out show at Zankel Hall presented by Carnegie Hall on Saturday, January 25 to include an additional world premiere new work by Gabriela Ortiz. This residency and performance will continue the group’s exploration of creating and performing meaningful and adventurous music using a continuously expanding vocabulary of singing techniques.

Help us welcome back the Roomful of Teeth ensemble: Estelí Gomez, Mingjia Chen, Eliza Bagg, Martha Cluver, Virginia Kelsey, Jodie Landau, Steven Bradshaw, Thann Scoggin, and Cameron Beauchamp, and join us for an unforgettable evening.

This residency is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.  

New sessions of Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking are here! In response to increased popularity and demand, we are excited to announce that there are now 2 different levels for the program: INTRO and ADVANCED. This is an ADVANCED session for participants who have taken attended a minimum of TWO Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking sessions at The Church.

This Program is supported by Cathleen McGuigan and David Berridge and the Friends of the Fund for Visual Arts

John Pinderhughes found love behind the lens of a camera in the mountains of Ethiopia during a summer college trip with Operation Crossroads Africa over 50 years ago. He has been capturing moments ever since. Join us for the first Insight Sunday of the new year as John shares with us the special story behind the portrait of his beloved grandmother, his “gum-gum,” taken on her first trip to Africa.

Grab a popcorn and join us for a screening of California Typewriter, the 2016 American documentary film directed by Doug Nichol. Considered a “nostalgic love letter to the typed word from enthusiasts and experts alike,” the film explores, celebrates, and honors the mechanical object believed to summon the creative spirit while also documenting the struggles of the typewriter-repair shop of the film’s title, California Typewriter. Sadly, the shop closed in 2020 after 70 years of service.

A meditation on creativity and technology, the film features typewriter enthusiasts Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Sam Shepard, and David McCullough. The film also includes artist Jeremy Mayer, author and  Xavier University philosophy professor Richard Polt, the unique and inspiring Boston Typewriter Orchestra, and more.

Popcorn and light refreshments will be sold at our concession stand. A limited number of signed copies of Richard Polt’s The Typewriter Revolution will also be available for purchase.

New sessions of Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking are here! In response to increased popularity and demand, we are excited to announce that there are now 2 different levels for the program: INTRO and ADVANCED. This is an INTRO session, there are no prerequisites to attend.

Join artist Roisin Bateman and adventure into the world of pastel! Over four 2-hour sessions, beginners and practicing artists alike will be guided through the process of working with this “magical dust,” finding out just how versatile and forgiving pastels can be. In a supportive and relaxed environment, participants will explore the world of color, focusing on value, hue, tone, warm/cool, and complementary colors. Using pan-pastels, pastel sticks, various cloths, and erasers, participants will have the opportunity to experiment with layers, adding and subtracting color to develop their work. Each session will begin with a series of easy and informative warm-up exercises, followed by working from life.

 Step-by-step guidance will be provided, along with all necessary materials and equipment. In the words of Roisin: “All you need to bring is an open mind and heart!”

Class size is limited to 10 to ensure an optimal participant-to-instructor ratio.

Ring in the new year with seasoned Reiki Master KAREN MEYER, assisted by STEPHANIE JOYCE on the gong, as we learn the fundamentals of Reiki. Learn why Einstein’s words “Everything is vibration” and “Everything is energy” are the language of Reiki practitioners worldwide.

Learn the basics of Reiki and experience it hands-on, discover the healing power of sound, the healing properties of instruments such as the gong, the crystal singing bowl, and tuning forks, and redefine scent as vibration as we examine the special properties of different essential oils. Then, immerse yourself in the deep relaxation of a sound bath with a guided meditation.

Simon Doonan invites you to memories, musings, and mimosas!

Join us as we sit down for a dynamic discussion with the renowned creative director as he explores the stories and inspirations that added a dash of whimsy and nostalgia to our winter exhibition, Some of Tom’s Typewriters. Inspired by the presence of typewriters in films, moved by the serendipity of his parents meeting around the typewriter, and driven by his incredible knack for storytelling, Doonan adds a special dimension to the exhibition.

An acclaimed creative director, Doonan offers the audience an opportunity to peek into the inner creative workings of design as he discusses his initial sketches, the visual impact of added display elements, and more! Following the discussion, Doonan will have a brief Q&A with the audience.

Those with specialty tickets will then be invited down to our studio level for mimosas and small bites. Copies of Doonan’s latest book will be available for purchase and signed during the reception downstairs.

Join us for the opening reception of our Winter Exhibition Some of Tom’s Typewriters. The reception and exhibition are free to the public! No RSVP Required.

Featuring 35 typewriters from the collection of actor Tom Hanks and an exhibition installation designed by the renowned creative director Simon Doonan, The Church’s extraordinary space will be transformed into a fanciful home for these magical machines in all their iconic, sadly obsolete glory.

The Exhibition will be on view during exhibition hours through March 10th, 2025.

Join us for the opening reception of our Winter Exhibition Some Odes: Sam Messer with Paul Auster, Eleanor Gaver, Denis Johnson and Sharon Olds. The reception and exhibition are free to the public! No RSVP Required.

Concurrent to Some of Tom’s Typewriters, The Church will present an intimate exhibition on the Main Floor entitled Some Odes: Sam Messer with Paul Auster, Eleanor Gaver, Denis Johnson and Sharon Olds. This small-scale exhibition will focus on the confluence of ideas between artists and artistic media as they flow individually and within an artistic community. For more than 20 years, artist Sam Messer has created over 200 paintings of typewriters, which began as a distinct reflection on Paul Auster’s relationship to his machine, and over time has evolved as “a form that innately represents language, communication between peoples, its association with both facts and fiction, the place where stories are recorded and invented,” according to Messer.

The Exhibition will be on view during exhibition hours through March 10th, 2025.

Kick off the New Year with dance and be the first to see three new performances commissioned by Works & Process on Long Island’s East End at The Church in Sag Harbor, Guild Hall of East Hampton, and The Watermill Center. The inaugural Dance Out East culminates week-long creative residencies, and provides unique insight into the process and preparation of new choreographed works that will sequence into the Works & Process Underground Uptown Dance Festival at the Guggenheim Museum.

Query: What is the Human Being?

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.

By popular demand! Join us for an encore presentation of April Gornik’s recent talk about the landscapes of Egon Schiele, which she presented at the Neue Galerie in NYC in November. The lecture includes images and insights into landscape painting and as a contemplation of nature and the landscape at large. Gornik will focus on both Schiele’s contemporary context and the artists he may be likened to in our more recent context in the decades following his untimely death.

Violinist and composer Michelle Ross invites you to join us at The Church for a behind-the-scenes look into her creative practice and unique process of composing. During this special event, Michelle will offer insight into her latest composition – an in-progress piece for solo violin and mixed ensemble – and discuss how improvisation, electronics, handwritten notations, poetry, and performance all play a role in her work. The presentation will feature a selection of handwritten scores, excerpts of audio, and a live performance by Michelle.

A protégée of the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, Michelle’s compositions have had world premieres at the Lucerne Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Oregon Symphony’s Open Music. She has also performed as guest concertmaster with a range of ensembles including the Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse, London Symphony Orchestra, and more.

New sessions of Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking are here! In response to increased popularity and demand, we are excited to announce that there are now 2 different levels for the program: INTRO and ADVANCED. This is an ADVANCED session for participants who have taken attended a minimum of TWO Open Studio – Monotype Printmaking sessions at The Church.

Tina Curran, a founding teacher in the worldwide Tai Chi Foundation, joins us for our December Wellness Monday as we harness the energy of the final full moon of the year.  Curran invites participants to an informative and interactive introduction to tai chi, the ancient martial art of movement for health and balance. Focusing on Qigong, sometimes called the “internal” part of tai chi, Curran will help us access some of the benefits of its in-depth movements and principles, allowing us to tune in to our essential being and open to our true strengths.

Tai chi, often called “moving meditation” is part of traditional Chinese meditation and is based on establishing the natural flow of qi (life energy) through the body. Tune in to the healing and rejuvenating energies of nature, heightened by the energy of the full moon, as we work with gentle yet energizing movements and self-massages. Designed to release stress and enhance energy, these low-impact exercise techniques are easy to learn, help build immunity, and aid in bringing clarity, openness, and flow in body and mind.

In the wise words of martial arts legend and accomplished Qigong practitioner, Bruce Lee, “…water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

During our annual Community Residency, we invite selected artists of the East End to work on campus at The Church to enrich and foster artistic community and dialogue. This year we’re thrilled to welcome ANNA!, Ben Hassett, Jackie Hoving, Kerry Sharkey-Miller, Mark Webber, and Andre Worrell to join us in residence! Stop by between 1:00 – 3:00 pm on December 15^th to see and hear more about their works and process.