Art Auction Preview Opens
A preview of artwork that will be up for auction at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center’s summer fund-raiser on Aug. 1 is now available for viewing at a pop-up gallery on the upper level of a building behind Ben and Jerry’s ice cream shop in the harbor area. The preview is open daily from 4 to 7 p.m. through July 31.
Each year Playhouse officials choose a person or several to honor at the event. This year they have chosen to honor more than 70 Montauk artists for the “vibrant culture and character they bring to the community.”
The auction items, which include sculptures, illustrations, and signed manuscripts, as well as cultural experiences such as music lessons, photo shoots, studio tours, and custom portraits, are posted online and can be bid on at montaukplayhouse.org/pop-up-gallery. Opening bids start at $50 and go as high as $2,000.
Another item up for auction is a one-hour concert by the Lynn Blue Band at a celebration or a private party at a residence. Joe Delia, known as a Mick Jagger look-alike, has donated a concert performance featuring his favorite original song, “Under the Montauk Moon.” The winning bidder can have his or her name inserted into the song.
Lilah Gosman and Milos Repicky, the couple who recently reinstated the Music for Montauk series, will perform a set of songs in a successful bidder’s home for a special occasion. A pianist, Mr. Repicky will use your piano if you have one, otherwise he will provide a keyboard. The Montauk Project, a hard-rock band, has donated a private concert at a venue of choice.
On Saturday a reception was held to mark the opening of the pop-up gallery, the space for which was donated by Chip Duryea in the shop directly across from Second Story Consignment. People mingled and viewed some of the artwork up for grabs, one colorful piece in particular, “Hashtag” by Joseph Eschenberg, drawing the attention of guests for its use of mixed-media materials — prior promotional donations from Peter Beard and Julian Schnabel. Valued at $2,000, its opening bid is $1,000.
The fund-raiser will also have a live auction, dinner, and dancing to the music of the Nancy Atlas Project. Tickets cost $350 and are available online at montuakplayhouse.org or at the Playhouse office. The number to call for more information is 668-1124.