The Guild Hall Summer Gala was a festive evening in East Hampton that began with a preview exhibition at the museum of a new body of work by Richard Prince based on a series of photographs of the Abstract Expressionist artist Jackson Pollock at work. Prince was given a Guild Hall 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award for his accomplishments in the visual arts and was present for the celebration.
Cocktails and dinner under a tent at the historic Gardiner Estate on Main Street followed, where Martha Stewart was honored. In her acceptance remarks she expressed gratitude to be honored “by an institution I admire so greatly,” and referring to the many towns she has lived in she said “but none as beautiful as East Hampton.”
Alec Baldwin, who recently donated $250,000 dollars to Guild Hall, served as a charming and witty Master of Ceremonies. In a fierce bidding competition during the live auction with Auctioneer Simon de Pury, Mr. Baldwin scored a Clifford Ross archival pigment print, Hurricane LI, measuring 48 x 68 inches for $70,000. Rumor has it the gifted Mr. Baldwin will toss his hat into the ring as a contender for Mayor of NYC.
Patrick Christiano
Photography: Barry Gordin
