Talks & Thinkers
Upcoming Events
Meet illustrator, artist, and entrepreneur, Noelle Giddings and join us as we dive into her unique experience, exploring an artistic world of comic books, ready-for-television art, and more. Noelle is a treasure trove of insight and wisdom for young, aspiring artists! Her career trajectory has been one of a kind, leading her from comics and cartoons to roles in education and newly created positions within the entertainment industry. Come along as we explore how one woman said “yes” to opportunity and learned to pivot and transform along the way. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A.
Breaking into a male-dominated field, Noelle was one of the few female comic book artists for DC and Marvel. Spider-Man, Batman, Superman — Noelle illustrated some of the most memorable characters we know and love. She was also a founding member of Milestone Media, the first and only comic book company dedicated to creating a more culturally diverse comic universe. In addition to working in the much-loved genre, her work on animated Disney and Nickelodeon programs, including Doug, has been a source of joy for many growing up. She has created original art pieces for television and movie sets and has published children’s books and a graphic novel, too.
Join us in welcoming back the much-loved annual Creativity Conference! Our fourth annual full-day gathering of idea-exploration and creativity in the arts and sciences features five outstanding thought leaders. Curated by April Gornik, this year’s conference welcomes an eclectic group of creative minds. Our speakers are:
CARTER BURWELL – Esteemed film-score composer
Speaking On: Why Do Films Have Music?
LUCIA JACOBS – Professor Emerita of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of California, Berkeley
Speaking On: Squirrel Economics — “How to Get Rich Like a Squirrel (Without Going Nuts)”
PATRICIA McCORMICK – author of the critically acclaimed Never Fall Down and SOLD, and co-author of I Am Malala
Speaking On: Creativity as a Form of Resistance
SUSAN ROGERS – Behavioral neuroscientist and multiplatinum-record producer, most notably known for her work with Prince
Speaking On: Neural Underpinnings of Creativity, Mind Wandering, and Musical
Improvisation
LAWRENCE WESCHLER – Longtime New Yorker writer, author, and Director Emeritus of the New York Institute for the Humanities at New York University
Speaking On: Art and Science as a Parallel and Divergent Way of Knowing
It is time to awaken your powers of stress relief and deep healing! Join wellness leader Joyce Brian, as she leads participants through a Yoga Nidra session. Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep, is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping that comes with a plentitude of health benefits.
Bringing their own yoga mats and blankets for comfort, attendees will rest on the main floor of The Church as Joyce leads them through the deeply meditative practice, taking them from waking sleep to awakened consciousness. Relieving stress and promoting self-healing, Yoga Nidra taps into the third eye and journeys from alpha state to theta state consciousness. This journey helps you access your own intuition, creativity, and abundance and allows you to be present without self-image or “I,” thereby allowing your mind to explore yourself more fully.
Please dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat, pillow, blankets, and anything else that will make you feel comfortable. Chairs will be provided for those who prefer to sit rather than lie on the ground.
David Bunn Martine, award-winning visual artist and Curator of the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center Museum, joins us for our April Insight Sunday. Drawing inspiration from history and reimagined perspectives, Martine’s work explores the spiritual strength and vibrancy of historical figures while stylistically staying within the realm of realism. Martine will speak about his process, how he reimagines the world, and his purpose in selecting the historical scenes he portrays. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A with the audience.
Martine’s work The Northern Migration, a playful nod to Grant Wood’s American Gothic, is included in our exhibition Eternal Testament, on view from March 22 to June 1. (Exhibition hours: Thursday to Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Stop by the show and join us on Sunday to learn why Martine believes “art should uplift and elevate the soul and not dwell in the negative conditions of history and society.”
This special Insight Sunday is presented as a part of our current exhibition Eternal Testament, curated by Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts; please click here for more information on the exhibition.
What does it mean to belong in a public space? How can we foster community involvement and participation through architecture and design? Hear the answers to these questions and more as Koray Duman and Setha Low join us at The Church for a panel discussion on the role of public space in society.
The panel was conceived of by Koray Duman, a NYC-based architect whose practice concerns public interactions with the built environment. In preparing for an extended stay in Sag Harbor as a resident at The Church, Duman began a dialogue with Setha Low, an expert on public spaces. Low is a Distinguished Professor of Environmental Psychology, Geography, Anthropology, and Women’s Studies, and Director of the Public Space Research Group at the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Together, they share decades of combined experience across the fields of cultural affairs, environmentalism, and public design.
In their talk, our speakers will highlight how strategic design can amplify human interactions, while temporary activations cultivate generosity and belonging. They will also discuss the tools and resources that citizens can use to take over (politically), enjoy (personally), and participate (culturally) in public spaces.
Following the event, a public dinner will be hosted in the garden of The Church. In the spirit of activating public space and bringing together community, it will be free and open to all.
Join us for an open-studio visit with two of our current artists-in-residence, Alison Cynamon and Rayos Magos.
As an author, illustrator, and public artist, Cynamon creates work ranging from the development of storybooks and narrative drawings to the planning and design of murals and installations. Currently, her work centers on the writing and illustration of children’s books, pairing imaginative stories with playful characters and designs.
Magos, a multidisciplinary artist, draws inspiration and influence from his ethnic identity as a Chicano (Mexican American/Latinx). Working across a variety of media, he investigates symbolism and storytelling within Chicano culture in his work, blending personal narratives with universal themes to examine the past, future, and present.
Stop by anytime between noon and 2 p.m. to observe and reflect as Cynamon and Magos introduce and discuss their practices and works in progress, highlighting the developments made while in residence.
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on,
and you may contribute a verse
-Walt Whitman
The Power of Poetry returns for the next verse! The Church is excited to invite you to join us for the third iteration of our poetry ‘read-in’ series Verse 3: I’m with the Banned, exploring poems and voices who have encountered resistance and censorship of expression. From Shakespeare to Shel Silverstein, poets throughout history have had their poems banned, restricted, censored, or challenged. What are the grounds for the limitations of expression? Let’s find out! Join us to give voice to poets Gwendolyn Brooks,Amanda Gorman, Shel Silverstein, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde and more.
This recurring program brings us together to celebrate poetry, the beauty of words, and the power of capturing the human experience through a community-driven poetry read-in. Each session features a curated selection of poems tied by a common theme. Readers are assigned a number upon arrival and read in order. Poems are not pre-selected, rehearsed, or memorized but are actively engaged with as the reader steps up to the mic. Feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that this format helps both listeners and readers feel liberated from ego and fully immersed in the poem.
We invite you to read, listen, and think about poetry in real-time in our main gallery space and join the community discussion following the read-in.
Join artist April Gornik for a richly illustrated virtual walk-through of the Figures du Fou (Figures of the Fool) exhibition that opened on October 16, 2024 at the Louvre Museum and closed on February 5, 2025. Figures of the Fool was brilliantly curated by Elisabeth Antoine-König and Pierre-Yves Le Pogam. April will share slides, talk about the curators’ intent, and introduce her own insights and ideas. Along the way, April will invite thoughts and comments from the audience and, at the end, there will be a more formal question-and-answer period.
Figures of the Fool: From the Middle Ages to the Romantics offered a deep dive into the meaning of “the fool” in a multitude of contexts: books, illustrations of the Bible, sainthood, brothels, at court, on the battlefield, in positions of power, and in positions of poverty. Fools had an extraordinary popularity from the 13th through the 16th centuries, with new notions of the fool reignited in the public imagination during the age of Romanticism as well as at the beginning of psychology. Fools included hermits, simpletons, saints, sinners mocking courtly love, party animals, buffoons both royal and common, mad kings, seekers and seers, licentious seducers, jugglers, conjurers, and, not least of all, artists.
The fool’s legacy has endured even into present-day art, politics, and theater. Certain streets in Paris are still referred to as Rues de la Folie, meaning “Streets of Madness,” indicating that they were or had been red-light districts. Playing cards still have jokers. And Van Gogh and his phenomenal popularity can be seen as one of our great Fools for Art. As truth-tellers to kings, fools still bear witness to the folly of human behavior.
How well do you know Nada Barry? Join us in giving a warm welcome to our latest Knowledge Friday Speaker! A pillar of the Sag Harbor community, deeply involved in its success, spirit, and integrity — as well as, of course, being the proprietor of the beloved Wharf Shop on Main Street — Nada is an easily recognizable and beloved Sag Harborian. Presenting the “adventures of a life well lived,” Nada will tell all, sharing autobiographical anecdotes and her zest for life. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A.
Nada was born in England in 1930 and arrived in the United States just before the onset of World War II. Her life has taken her around the world on various daring journeys, from her years sailing the Caribbean to the time she traveled with her family through Mexico City in a Winnebago, and her stories are rich with experience, wit, and laughter. She has co-founded a school and dedicated herself to the needs of the South Fork’s young people, and her experience at the Wharf Shop has been most rewarding. At 94, she is an indispensable source of insight, intrigue, and inspiration. Join us as we learn from a local legend who knows a thing or two about creativity — and how to harness it in your everyday life.
Join us for a day of discovery, connection, and empowerment through the nature in our own backyard! We invite you to an enriching Wellness Monday led by Chenae Bullock, a knowledgeable and passionate licensed indigenopathic practitioner from the Shinnecock Nation. Participants will be immersed in the rich traditions of indigenous plant medicine, focusing on the unique flora native to our region.
A hands-on experience, this Wellness Monday offers attendees the opportunity to engage with several indigenous plants, including cedar, white pine, sassafras, mullein, and sweetgrass. These plants have long been valued for their medicinal properties and cultural significance. Participants will learn about their uses and get a chance to prepare them, learning how to utilize these plant medicines in a meaningful way.
We invite those who are looking to deepen their understanding of indigenous healing practices, cultivate skills in plant medicine, and to connect with the natural world to this inspiring and educational experience.
This special Wellness Monday is presented as a part of our current exhibition Eternal Testament, curated by Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts; please click here for more information on the exhibition.
“May our paths lead us to a time when we shall live together in Peace on Good Mother Earth.”
Join the Rev. Holly Haile Thompson, the first Indigenous woman to become Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church,USA, as she follows the tradition laid down by her mother, Elizabeth “Chee Chee” Thunderbird Haile. Having often accompanied her mother to give presentations at local schools, Thompson continues the tradition of educating the community on the history of the Shinnecock Nation, on whose land we gather.
Reverend Thompson will discuss the meaning behind words, dances, and music — “things that are living” — and create an environment of understanding, dispelling ignorance and creating a bridge between cultures. Thompson invites audiences to consider “the lives, the humanity, the past” of the Shinnecock people and how they are “intrinsically related to anything that happens in our territory.” After her talk, there will be a Q&A.
This unique program is presented as a part of our current exhibition Eternal Testament, curated by Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts; please click here for more information on the exhibition.
Join us in welcoming Adrienne Terry, visual artist and community advocate, as our Insight Sunday speaker for May. Terry will expand on the process behind Dreamcatcher, a dreamcatcher that goes beyond the traditional and that is included in our spring exhibition, Eternal Testament. Terry will explore the techniques used to etch symbols and motifs, elaborate on her choice of materials, and examine the tools she has used and some she is currently experimenting with. Following the discussion there will be a Q&A.
Symbolizing Terry’s deep connection to her Shinnecock roots and incorporating communal and personal narratives, Dreamcatcher puts a spotlight on material usage — featuring shells, feathers, and wampum pieces — and depicts the Shinnecock seal. Going beyond a traditional dreamcatcher, the work serves as an educational tool and is an act of cultural preservation.
This special Insight Sunday is presented as a part of our current exhibition Eternal Testament, curated by Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts; please click here for more information on the exhibition.
Join us for a special discussion with Jaime T. Herrell, an independent curator and education program developer, as she examines the intersection of her curatorial work and the themes of resistance, witnessing, and reclaiming space that are alive and vibrant in Eternal Testament. Herrell will take a deeper dive into a few works: Natalie Ball’s You Usually Bury the Head in the Woods Trophy Head, James Luna’s Take a Picture with a Real Indian, Marie Watt’s Placeholder (Horizon), and Cara Romero’s Last Indian Market.
Following the in-depth look at the works, Herrell will engage the audience in a thoughtful and interactive discussion, inviting a conversation that asks attendees to think beyond land acknowledgement. How do we support Indigenous artists, land sovereignty, and Indigenous futurism in tangible ways?
“If our time on earth is to endure, we must love the earth in the strong, unsentimental way of traditional peoples, not seeking to exploit but to live in balance with the natural world.”
— Peter Matthiessen, from Indian Country
We are honored to welcome Chief Oren Lyons and Shane “Bizhiki Nibauit” Weeks as the inaugural speakers for The Matthiessen Talks, a new collaborative series dedicated to exploring the profound relationships between humanity and nature. This series, inspired by the legacy of the late Peter Matthiessen — author, explorer, naturalist, and Zen Roshi — aims to bring together voices who share his commitment to environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge, and spiritual harmony.
Chief Oren Lyons and Shane Weeks will each share brief presentations before engaging in a thought-provoking dialogue about generational perspectives, shared values, and the wisdom passed down through their respective cultures. They will later be joined by Rex Lyons, son of Chief Oren Lyons, who will serve as a bridge between the two generations. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, moderated by Alex Matthiessen.
