Join us for a presentation by Stony Brook University’s Dr. Tara Rider on how whaling has shaped New York’s maritime communities and culture.

This is the eighth lecture of our East End Environment Series!

Join SOFO for light refreshments and a presentation with Stony Brook University’s Dr. Tara Rider on how whaling has shaped New York’s maritime communities and culture. While Native Americans were the first people to whale in New York, Europeans arriving on the shores of New York quickly came to see these ocean mammals as a valuable commodity. Starting in the 1640s, Long Island towns such as East Hampton and Southampton formed local shore whaling companies that led to the whale becoming New York’s first “cash crop.” This industry would then help drive the local economy in the 19th century as young men travelled the world, pursuing whales for their oil and bones. Today, whales continue to attract New Yorkers, though no longer for hunting, but rather for whale watching.

Co-Sponsored with The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center, rescheduled from last month.

Author and historian Bill Bleyer will join us for a talk on the largest battle of the American Revolution, a defeat that could have spelled the end of the Continental Army in 1776, and the subsequent British occupation and hardships it caused for Long Island residents until the end of the conflict in 1783. Because of this, Long Island was the last place occupied by the British during the Revolution. Join us for a look back at Long Island under siege.

Clay is a material rich in history and possibilities for art making, and handbuilding pottery is the oldest use of the medium. In this class, you will develop foundational handbuilding techniques, including pinch pots, coil, and slab methods. Once you have experienced a few basic techniques, you can make your own functional tableware, vessels, tiles, and sculptures. All materials are included in the ticket price as well as two pounds of clay and the firing of your first project.

Teacher Bio

Hilary began her interest in clay at a young age, although their formal studies are in art history, printmaking and painting. They studied painting in New York City first at the School of Visual Arts, and then graduate studies at Hunter College. In 1995, after living and exhibiting in NYC for 12 years, they moved out to eastern Long Island and have lived here ever since. In addition to maintaining their studio work, they worked as an art teacher in grades K – 8. It was teaching children that brought them back to working with clay. Her work started out small and now she is looking into ways of creating larger outdoor pieces.

The Bridgehampton Museum presents, a concert by Vienna-based Fortepianist Daniel Adam Maltz performing the works of Haydn and Mozart’s as they intended them to be heard — in a private home on a period instrument.

During the Classical era in Vienna, composers expected their keyboard music to entertain relatively small audiences in more intimate settings than today’s large concert halls. And, the era’s pianos (known as “fortepianos”) are very different from modern Steinways.

Fortepianist Daniel Adam Maltz studied Historical Performance at the Royal Academy of Music in London and at Vienna’s University for Music and Performing Arts. He performs on historic Viennese fortepianos, utilizing the vast range of tones, colors, and techniques familiar to Classical era composers.

Join author Mary Dinaburg and illustrator Russell Maltz for a lively discussion on the making of The Sculpture and the Lawnmower Adventure or Why I Am Afraid of Lawnmowers. Based on a true incident that occurred right here in Bridgehampton, this charming and poignant book is narrated by the sculpture itself, offering a unique and heartfelt perspective. Through humor and imagination, the story explores themes of acceptance, resilience, and love. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes conversation about how a local event inspired a creative collaboration and an unforgettable tale.

With a rich artistic history on the East End, this evening at The Bridgehampton Museum shines a light on the talent of local writers. The event showcases a variety of voices reading their short personal essays, exploring how we define ourselves, our values, our strengths and weaknesses. Sharing the first-person human condition brings us together, with humor, with heartbreak, and with a goal of mutual understanding.

The event is curated by Hamptons writer Heather Buchanan. Her column Kiss & Tell was recently awarded Best Print Humor Column in the country by the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Buchanan has also won awards from the Press Club of Long Island and the National Federation of Press Women. Previous spoken word events she has produced have been sell outs such as at Bay Street Theater and The Church in Sag Harbor and Greenwich Village.

Author Lenny Ackerman will be at the Bridgehampton Museum for a talk on his book Leibisch’s Journey. Ackerman will discuss his father’s remarkable story, tracing a life shaped by determination, displacement, and hope. Through conversation and reading, the evening offers insight into a deeply personal journey and the broader human experience it reflects. Join us at the Nathaniel Rogers House or live via Zoom to enjoy this talk.

Description Learn the ancient technique of encaustic painting which dates to the Greeks. Students will be led by teacher and artist Bonnie Rychlak to learn the basics of this ancient craft that involves using hot wax and pigments to create something of a mixture between painting and sculpting. Through demonstrations, discussion and exploration, students will discover its endless possibilities for making art.

There is a class size limit of 10 students and students will be expected to come to all five classes. All materials will be supplied for this class.

From the 18th century onwards, dramatic numbers of Irish citizens emigrated to the U.S., often to escape religious persecution and economic hardship. They left the comfort and support of family, friends, and loved ones to arrive in an America that often regarded the Irish as incompatible with American ideals. We will take a fascinating multimedia look at the history and culture of the Irish of New York from their immigrant beginnings to the present day. Their journey of hope is reflected in the shared experiences of immigrants from around the world coming to America.

Following an old established tradition this workshop will use the nude figure with instruction from Bruce Lieberman. The workshop will address fundamental, basic exercises that develop skills and introduce figure drawing techniques in various mediums. Each individual participant will be guided based on their experience and strengths. The critical and aesthetic understanding of a drawing is the foundation for developing a distinct personal artistic vision. A vision shaped by individuality and diversity of expression. Students are asked to bring all their own supplies and drawing mediums such as charcoal, conte, or graphite are requested. A material list will be supplied upon registration. Classes will be limited to 10 students per class. RSVPs are required.

Instructor’s Background

Beginning his career as a figurative painter in New York City in the early ’80s, Lieberman had his first solo show of narrative paintings at the Pene Du Bois Gallery in the East Village. Although he has rarely given workshops, he has over 40 years of teaching experience, most recently at Stony Brook University, where he taught figure drawing and painting. Lieberman has lived full-time in Water Mill for over 40 years, which made him especially eager to teach here at the Museum.

His work is in numerous museums and private collections and critical reviews and commentaries have appeared in books, newspapers, journals, and magazines, including The New York Times, Newsday, and The Huffington Post. Since the early ’80s, he has been exhibiting in many NY and Long Island Museums and Galleries. Including the Parrish Art Museum, Guild Hall and most of the galleries on the East End of Long Island. Most recently, his work was exhibited at the Center for Figurative Painting in New York and the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Join Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt for a moderately paced 3-mile hike through oak/hickory forest with views of Crooked Pond, Long Pond and Deer Drink. With a donation from Truman Capote and Jack Dunphy, The Nature Conservancy preserved the land around Crooked Pond, a rare coastal plain pond in the Long Pond Greenbelt. Leader: Doreen Johnston, 516-994-5947. This is a Co-Sponsored event with The Bridgehampton Museum and the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt.

Description Learn the ancient technique of encaustic painting which dates to the Greeks. Students will be led by teacher and artist Bonnie Rychlak to learn the basics of this ancient craft that involves using hot wax and pigments to create something of a mixture between painting and sculpting. Through demonstrations, discussion and exploration, students will discover its endless possibilities for making art.

There is a class size limit of 10 students and students will be expected to come to all five classes. All materials will be supplied for this class.