The annual "Love & Passion" exhibition, held each February to coincide with Valentine's Day, always draws attention in The Hamptons art scene. Jointly curated by The White Room Gallery director and owner Andrea McCafferty and art dealer Karyn Mannix, "Love & Passion" is an expected crowd-pleaser and welcome respite during a time of year when art exhibitions can be few. Each year, a different theme is selected to present a unique twist for the annual open call art show. "Love & Passion: Peace, Love & Understanding" was held at the White Room Gallery in Bridgehampton, N.Y. from February 5 to 28, 2016.
For 2016, the roving love-themed exhibition, typically held at Ashawagh Hall in Springs, moved to The White Room Gallery on the invitation of McCafferty. This year's Public Voting aspect for "Love & Passion" also provided a historic connection to an exhibition tradition in annual winter group shows held in the former Crazy Monkey Gallery in Amagansett (also led by McCafferty) thus providing a link between winter exhibitions held at the former Amagansett gallery and a new incarnation in Bridgehampton, wrote McCafferty in an email.
Exhibiting artists in this year's show included Abby Abrams, Camille Perrottet, Diane Marxe, Elizabeth Malunowicz, Evan Zatti, Gerry Giliberti, Jerry Schwabe, Judy Clifford, Mark Seidenfeld, Pam Foccarino, Stephanie Brody-Lederman, Ruby Jackson, Steve Haweeli, Ty Stroudsburg, Barbara Bilotta, Anne Brandeis, Kathleen Bifulco, June Kaplan, Mary Larson, Pat Kochie, Setha Low, Sue Carlo, Ted Asnis, Tom Kochie, Sally Breen and many others.
A Public Vote was held for the best art in a variety of categories with the Best in Show winning a solo show at the Hamptons gallery. Votes were cast on the final day of the exhibition and the results are now revealed. Continue reading to discover the winning artworks selected from the 85 pieces on view, representing a wide range of mediums and styles.
Best in Show: Findland Kiss by Sue Zola
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"Findland Kiss" by Sue Zola.
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Most True to theme: It's a Tie!
First Love by Corinne Soikin Strauss
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"First Love" by Corinne Soikin Strauss.
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Lover by Luciana Pampalone
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"Lover" by Luciana Pampalone.
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Most Original: Wedgewood Dildo by Ruby Jackson
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"Wedgewood Dildo" by Ruby Jackson.
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Most Thought Provoking: Love & Death by Mark Seidenfield
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"Love & Death" by Mark Seidenfeld.
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BASIC FACTS: The White Room Gallery is located at 2415 Main Street, Bridgehampton, NY 11932. www.thewhiteroom.gallery.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An update was added on March 3, 2016 to reflect the connection of the public voting aspect of 2016 "Love and Passion" exhibition to a long-standing annual exhibition tradition held at the former Crazy Monkey Gallery and to reflect the show was co-curated by Andrea McCafferty and Karyn Mannix, not Karyn Mannix alone as was originally stated.
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