Hamptons Juried Honors East End Artists

This year's Hamptons Juried exhibition, titled "The Energy of Light," has awarded top honors to two East End artists, Mark Wilson and Adam L. Straus. The event, which took place on October 30, drew a standing-room crowd and featured a diverse array of works by artists from across the North and South Forks of Long Island.

Mark Wilson, a renowned East End artist, was named the Best in Show and will be featured in a solo exhibition at ARC Fine Art in spring 2027. His painting, "Passing Summer Storm," captures the moment a summer storm breaks over an expansive landscape. A stand of trees anchors the composition as clouds of blue, white, and soft pink dissolve into expressive splashes and drips of paint. Reflected light and illumination breaking through the storm speak directly to the exhibition's theme.

Wilson's work, which uses paintings made here on the East End by William Merritt Chase and Thomas Moran, is a testament to the constant quality of light. He used the same color palette and painting out from there to create one landscape that compresses the past and the present. Wilson's recognition as Best in Show is a significant achievement, and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase his work at ARC Fine Art in the spring.

Adam L. Straus, another East End artist, received the $1,000 Juror's Choice Award for his painting "Clouds 1." This work depicts drifting clouds illuminated in gold and amber against a deep blue sky. Straus's painting is a reflection of the East End's unique coastal light, which has inspired generations of artists. He was interested in simply looking up and removing the earth from the image, capturing light at its most fleeting, not long before dark, when the sky glows gold before it fades. To be chosen for the Juror's Choice Award in an exhibition called "The Energy of Light" is a real honor.

The strength and range of work submitted for the inaugural exhibition exceeded the organizers' expectations. Both Mark Wilson and Adam L. Straus captured the power, atmosphere, and emotional quality of light in their respective works, embodying what the organizers hoped the exhibition would celebrate. The strength of the submissions and the quality of the work have made this exhibition a significant event for the East End's artistic community.

The exhibition, titled "The Energy of Light," features paintings, sculpture, and mixed-media works by artists from across the North and South Forks, reflecting the distinctive coastal light that has inspired generations of East End artists. All works are available for purchase, and the exhibition is sponsored by Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The People's Choice Award is determined entirely by public voting, with visitors able to cast a ballot for their favorite work through November 28, with the winner announced at the Closing Reception on Saturday, November 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

The exhibition continues through November 28, with the October 30 opening drawing a standing-room crowd. The exhibition is located at ARC Fine Art, 26 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, NY 11930. The Closing Reception will take place on Saturday, November 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Coffee with the Artists will be held on Saturdays throughout November, starting on November 7, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

Exhibiting Artists: hamptonsjuried.com