Visual Art & Artists
Upcoming Events
For fashion designer and artist Paulo Josepetti, a design is more than just a garment; it’s an expression of creativity and storytelling. Join us at The Church as Josepetti speaks on his work and learn how his upbringing and commitment to sustainability have shaped his career.
Deeply inspired by the vibrant culture of his Brazilian heritage, Josepetti seamlessly blends art and fashion, specializing in one-of-a-kind custom fabrications that emphasize individuality and craftsmanship. Throughout his practice, he remains committed to the use of sustainable materials and practices, frequently employing linen, raw silk, and other natural fibers.
Josepetti is an artist-in-residence at The Church from March 27 – April 9, 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have a seat on one of the many quilts that will be laid out in the main floor of The Church and join Emily Johnson as she weaves you into a movement- and sound-based performance that will envelop you in shared histories and experiences. A portal to a way forward through care and awareness, Johnson’s performance invites participants to redefine themselves within space-time, to join her in an act of “reworlding,” and to physically stitch together a work of art.
A site-specific work, Johnson’s performance helps revitalize our integral connections to one another and awaken us to the threads that connect us via our environments, our stories, and our pasts, presents, and futures. This performance is a an art work featured in Eternal Testament, our current exhibition curated by Jeremy Dennis and Meranda Roberts; please find more information on the exhibition here.
Though most participants will be seated on the ground on quilts provided, there will be chairs available for those who prefer or need them.
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.
“In another time’s forgotten space / Your eyes looked from your mother’s face. . . . If you get confused, listen to the music play” — The Grateful Dead
Celebrate Mom, Grandma, aunties, sisters, and all the maternal figures in your life by joining us for a Mother’s Day sound bath with the incomparable Daniel Lauter. Back by popular demand, the MeditationDJ takes participants on a deeply soothing and relaxing journey through sound, bathing you in the meditative tones that melt away stress and help you recharge and rejuvenate. Bring your yoga mat, pillow, blanket, or anything else you need for your comfort as you enjoy the sounds of crystal bowls, symphonic gong, Himalayan bells, yidaki (didjeridu), rains sticks, and more.
A well-versed student of Buddhist sutras, Daniel is also a classically trained musician who customizes his sound baths with musical phrasing, melody, and harmonic balance. Whether as a gift to mom or a maternal gift of self-care, this Mother’s Day sound bath is a perfect start to a Sunday morning.
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.