D AV I D PAT R I C K C O L U M B I A scene more vigorous then in the Hamptons—specifically East Hampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, and all points in between. And from its gilded and glittering sun-drenched habitués came the charity and non-profit scene. The clarion call begins and began with the Parrish Art Museum’s annual Midsummer Party at their new home in Water Mill. Overseen by the museum’s director Terrie Sultan, this event is one of the top five events of the season. It’s a festive gathering of art collectors, artists, socialites, entertainers, philanthropists, business leaders, pals, and entourages. It is the kind of the place to be seen. Its only
competitor for the art mavens, collectors, artists, and their ilk is Robert Wilson’s annual gala—an event that could only be staged by a culture impresario of his sensibilities (and non-sensibilities). This year, the Parrish Art Museum honored philanthropist Inga Maren Otto and her daughter, filmmaker and writer, Katharina Otto-Bernstein, for their contributions to the organization as well as art and culture in general. Personally, I love Katharina. She and I have one of those New York friendships that are barely realized. We see each other very infrequently but, when we do, it’s always a pleasure. She’s intensely interested in
her subjects and sensitive to all around her, though you would think her fabulous family fortune might serve to laminate. Not so, for Katharina. I don’t know the mother, but the daughter speaks affectionately and admiringly of her. It’s a big crowd and, if you are a collector and serious and live in the Hamptons in the summer, it’s almost de rigueur to at least show up. And then when you do, you run into everybody you know and so it’s kind of a star party with your own private stars. Among those attending, and I’m going to give you a big list so you can get the gist: Nathan Bernstein, Alice Ayecock, Jennifer Bartlett, Beth Rudin
DeWoody, Debbie Bancroft, Mildred Brin, Andrea Glimcher, Ross Bleckner, Chuck Close, Clifford Ross, David Salle, Lilane and Norman Peck, Lisa Perry, Robin and Fred Seegal, Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper, Sandra Lee, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Connie Fox, Jane Freilicher, Bryan Hunt, William King, Maya Lin, Margo McNabb and James Nederlander, Gale and Ira Druker, Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley, Veronica Atkins, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, Barbara Slifka, Kelly and Jay Sugerman, Ned Smity, Keither Sonnier, Donald Sultan, Joe Zucker, Cynthia Clift and David Wassong, Marcia Dunn and Jonathan Sobel,
C O C K TA I L S TO C E L E B R AT E T H E PA R R I S H A R T M U S E U M I N B R I D G E H A M P TO N
Reid Price and Sabrina Saltiel 38 QUEST
Sara Kallus, Susan de França and Dottie Herman
Melanie Lazenby and Ranee Meir
Helene Feldman and David Schoenthal
Aaron Dannenberg and Julie Dannenberg
Susan Penzner with David and Jane Walentas
PAT R I C K M C M U LL A N
Howard Lorber and Esther Paster