‘Provocative Conversation,’ This Time on the Art Market

“Out of the Question: Reviving the Lost Art of Provocative Conversation,” a five-part series of panels devoted to everything from our democracy to real estate to restaurants, will return to the Southampton Center next Thursday at 7 p.m. with “The Business of Art: Passion or Profit?”

Warren Strugatch, a writer, speaker, and business strategist, hosts the series. Next Thursday’s panel will include Eric Fischl and Toni Ross, artists, Rick Friedman, a former art fair mogul, and Vered, a gallerist.

Mr. Strugatch revived the series this year after a 12-year hiatus. He decided to bring the programs back after seeing the level to which conversation had deteriorated during the last presidential campaign.

Next week’s discussion is likely to be informative and spirited, as the two artists engage in a dialogue with two representative of art’s business side. Mr. Fischl, who lives on North Haven, is an internationally renowned painter, while Ms. Ross has exhibited her sculpture throughout the United States and abroad.

Mr. Friedman founded Hamptons Expo Group, which has held art fairs in Aspen, Houston, Palm Springs, and Bridgehampton. He sold his interest in the company in 2015. Vered founded her eponymous gallery in East Hamptons in the mid-1980s and took on a partner, Janet Lehr, eight years later. The gallery has since been renamed Janet Lehr Fine Art.

Civil audience participation will be welcomed, and a reception on the center’s East Lawn will follow the program to encourage additional conversation. Tickets are $15.