The Parrish Art Museum’s 2019 Spring Fling benefit attracted nearly 400 people and raised over $90,000 for the art museum's educational programs, reported the Parrish. Held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Hamptons museum, the popular annual fundraiser is a harbinger of both spring and the upcoming summer season.
.
A crowd fills the Parrish Art Museum at Spring Fling 2019. Photo by Eric Striffler. Courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum.
.
Spring Fling, initiated at the Parrish in the 1990s, raises funds annually for education programs for children and adults. This includes "Access Parrish," an ongoing initiative that offers free learning experiences specifically designed for youth and adults with varied needs and abilities; educator-led tours; art classes and workshops; studio activities; and unique programs developed in collaboration with regional educators.
Since the opening of the new building in Water Mill, NY, the Parrish has welcomed 6,100 children and families to the museum's programs, offered 310 school tours, 185 open studios, 208 after school and community offsite art workshops, and 43 weeks of art camps, according to the museum.
The 2019 Spring Fling was a busy affair with the museum's lobby and auditorium packed with event attendees. Spring Fling guests danced to music by DJ Twilo in the Lichtenstein Theater and enjoyed an open bar and passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Elegant Affairs. Attendees also liberally explored the art on view in the Parrish galleries, had fun having their picture taken in the photo book and took part in the silent auction.
The silent auction offered unique goods and services donated by the East End business and professional community such as golf at The Maidstone Club and Hampton Hills Golf & Country Club; tickets to a taping of the Dr. Oz show; an overnight stay at Gurney’s; VIP passes to the Hampton Classic Horse Show and gift certificates to area restaurants, fitness and spa treatments, wine baskets, luxury items, and more.
.
Perusing the Silent Auction at the Parrish Art Museum’s 2019 Spring Fling benefit. Photo by Eric Striffler. Courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum.
.
In addition to dancing, networking and general merriment, guests strolled around the newly-installed galleries. Currently on view are two photography shows presenting monumentally scaled work: "Renate Aller: The Space Between Memory and Expectation" and "Jean-Luc Mylane: A Matter of Place" as well as "Parrish Perspectives: Recent Acquisitions in Context," which pairs new artworks to the Parrish collection with established works from the collection to illuminate the ways a museum collection is built. In the permanent collection galleries, the sprawling "Every Picture Tells a Story" exhibition is installed across seven galleries.
Attending Spring Fling were members of the business and cultural communities including business owners, professionals, artists, designers and museum supporters. The 2019 co-chairs are Christine Curiale-Steinmuller, Maryanne Horwath and Laura Wynne.
Continue scrolling to see scenes from Spring Fling 2019 as well as some of the people who made the event a fun one.
.
Parrish Art Museum Spring Fling Committee. Photo: Eric Striffler. Courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum.
.
The Parrish Art Museum Director Terrie Sultan and husband, the artist and critic Christopher French, with guests at Spring Fling 2019. Photo: Eric Striffler. Courtesy of the Parrish Art Museum.
.
Jeff and Beth Gardner, Stan Glinka, Jen Wisner and Mark Masone at Spring Fling 2019. Courtesy Parrish Art Museum.
.
Christine Berry with Elena Frampton at The Parrish Art Museum Spring Fling, 2019. Courtesy of Christine Berry.
.
Artist Mike Solomon in front of his exhibited work during The Parrish Art Museum's Spring Fling, 2019. Photo: Christine Berry.
.
Fran Girimonti and Andrew Roehrig at Spring Fling 2019. Courtesy Parrish Art Museum.
.
Kevin Maple with Penny and Jay Lieberman attending Spring Fling, 2019. Photo: Eric Striffler. Courtesy of The Parrish Art Museum.
.
Christopher LaGuardia, Jane LaGuardia, Charlotte LaGuardia and Vincent Abbate at Spring Fling 2019. Courtesy Parrish Art Museum.
.
Melissa Dedovich and Friends during Spring Fling, 2019. Photo: Eric Striffler. Courtesy of The Parrish Art Museum.
.
Connie Claman, Cathy Claman and Hampton Art Hub's Pat Rogers at Spring Fling, 2019. Photo: Christine Berry.
.
John and Alicia DiCalogero, Janet Fernandez DiCalogero and Vinny DiCalogero at Spring Fling 2019. Courtesy Parrish Art Museum.
.
Jeff Muhs and Beth McNeill Muhs at Spring Fling 2019. Courtesy Parrish Art Museum.
.
Parrish Art Museum Spring Fling, held on Saturday, April 13, 2019. Photo: Eric Striffler. Courtesy of the Museum.
.
__________________________
BASIC FACTS: The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976. The Parrish's next social benefit, The Midsummer Party, will be held on July 13, 2019. www.parrishart.org.
__________________________
Copyright 2019 Hamptons Art Hub LLC. All rights reserved.