Bridgehampton - The first ArtHamptons International Fine Art Fair began its four-day launch with an opening night gala and collector's preview held on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society on Thursday, July 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. According to President, Founder, and Executive Director of ArtHamptons, Richard Friedman, this exhibition offers "$100 million in art that is available for purchase."

Cindy Lou Wakefield, Rick Friedman, and Barbara Poliwoda at the Thursday kick-off for ArtHamptons. Photos by Eileen Casey

When speaking with Friedman at Thursday's kick-off event, he relayed that, "for the first time ever there are over 1,000 artists from around the world represented by 55 galleries from around the country [and two international galleries]. This exhibition really reflects quality art for collectors and major investors. It took nine months to coordinate this."

Friedman, a personal collector describes himself, "as my own best customer for this type of exhibition."

The proceeds from the admission price to all six fundraising events [three evening and three daytime events] held during the four-day exhibition will be donated and divided among six local charities. The evening fundraisers included Thursday's opening gala for the benefit of the American Heart Association, Friday's event "The Batters Box Benefit" will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Artists-Writers Softball game for the benefit of the East End Hospice, and Saturday's fundraiser "The Art of Life" will benefit the Southampton Hospital Emergency Room. All evening events were held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society.

The three daytime events included The Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, The Hamptons National Public Radio Station, WLIU, and the Bridgehampton Historical Society, and ran from 12 noon to 6 p.m.

Friedman also indicated, "That my personal preference is for post-war and post-modern art, but this exhibition contains artwork from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries." Additionally, several galleries donated artworks for silent auctions to be held during the exhibition's run, and those proceeds will be donated to the charity of choice of the respective gallery.

At Thursday's gala, 97-year-old artist/printmaker Will Barnet, who was in attendance and received a warm and gracious reception, donated artwork. Applauding Barnet were internationally acclaimed portrait photographer Phillip Stewart Charis and his wife Maryanne, Artist Alliance of East Hampton president Phyllis Hammond with board member Susan Rockford, Donna and Dick Soloway, Harriet Sawyer and Richard Demato, Vered and Janet Lehr, Susan Burnside, Ron Burkhardt, Lauren Day and Robert Morris, and scores more.

Artist Will Barnett, honored at ArtHamptons.

Barbara Poliwoda, Regional Director of the American Heart Association, stated, "Any time our organization can be involved locally with people and have them help themselves with programs offered by the AHA we feel it is another avenue to saving lives." Poliwoda also mentioned that a prior art inspired event that the AHA was involved with raised over $500,000.

Sundaram Tagore, who has galleries in New York City, Beverly Hills and Hong Kong, commented that he found this exhibition to be for the "sophisticated collector" in that, "the artwork is broad enough and covers such a spectrum of tastes that in total it is a refined installation" which he felt reflected his own gallery's goal of "creating a global and cultural dialog to bring people together."

The following day was packed with more fantastic art and in the afternoon, a fascinating panel discussion led by Helen Harrison, director of the Pollock-Krasner House and noted author, entitled 'A Passion for Possession/Hampton Collectors on Collecting' featuring well known local collectors Ron Delsener, Larry Dubin, and Michael Zenft.

Later that afternoon, it was cocktails to benefit the Bridgehampton Historical Society featuring an auction of a print of Lee Krasner's 1974 "Embrace" that drew crowds of art enthusiasts.

That evening, the fundraiser "The Batters Box Benefit" celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Artists-Writers Softball game for the benefit of the East End Hospice. Leif Hope was there for the event and has been involved with the Artist-Writers Annual Softball games for 37 years, he stated that "Tonight's event is just wonderful." Guests were able to preview the wonderful mélange of boxes created by the East End's most prominent artists as well as mingle with the artists and current and past players in the annual ball game.

In the high spirited crowd were marketing guru Norena Barbella with producer Alexander De Jong, who will be mounting a musical based on the life of the flamboyant but much loved performer Liberace, artists Eric Ernst and mom Dallas Ernst, Clayton Calvert, Maryanne and Phillip Stewart Charis, Paige Peterson, Anita Storr, Mary Ellen Winston, Allison Milano, and polo players Michael Matz and Chris Kalbacher.