The Springs School "Mystery Art Show" is a sleeper that rose up to grab the attention of Hamptons art collectors. Long lines began to form an hour before the doors opened on Wednesday, said Andrea McCafferty, a benefit organizer, artist, parent and director of the Crazy Monkey Gallery.
"People started lining up at 3 p.m.," said McCafferty. "A couple had lawn chairs. There was a line down the lawn...It felt like a rock concert or, in the eighties, when parents camped out to buy Cabbage Patch dolls."
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Lines form during the first day of the "Mystery Art Sale" at Ashawagh Hall. Photo by Sara Faulkner.
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Lines form during the first day of the "Mystery Art Sale" at Ashawagh Hall. Photo by Sara Faulkner.
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People visiting the first view included parents, artists and community members. Each could buy up to five red dots for $20 each. A number was assigned to each red dot so purchases would go to their rightful owners after the exhibition concluded. If more dots were wanted, the person needed to rejoin the line, McCafferty explained.
By the end of the first day, around half of the postcard works had already been sold. Fears of not finding great works are unfounded, she said.
"There are a lot of little gems to find that are still available," said McCafferty.
The "Mystery Art Show" is a fundraiser benefiting the Springs School Visiting Artist Program. The show features postcard size works for $20 each. The identify of the artist is unknown until after purchase. The art sale includes works by professional art stars and elementary and middle school students. For the full story, click "Art Community Links Together for a Mystery Sale of Art".
Whether the art was made by professionals or by students, every piece has something going for it. Many times, it's difficult to have certainty of the type of artist who made the work, said McCafferty.
"Some are really hard to tell," she said. "It's the simplicity of them. Every one's style is different which also makes it hard to tell."
“The Springs Mystery Art Sale” will be held from April 23 to 27 at Ashawagh Hall. The art exhibition will be on view April 23 – 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Closing Party features live music and a live auction. It takes place on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. The live auction features some of the larger art in the silent auction plus postcard-sized art that may not have found buyers.
All money raised benefits the Springs School Visiting Artist Program. Ashawagh Hall is located at 780 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, NY.
RELATED: "Art Community Links Together for a Mystery Sale of Art" and “ART SEEN: Snapshot of the Springs School Visiting Artist Program“.