Southampton - Alicia Longwell, the Parrish Art Museum's Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Chief Curator, Art and Education, will present three lunchtime programs starting Friday, March 25, in connection with the exhibition Esteban Vicente: Portrait of the Artist. The first program in the popular Fridays at Noon series is titled "Connectivity" and will look at 1950s New York and the myriad ways in which artists "networked," keeping company to explore new topics in art and philosophy in downtown gatherings, including the Waldorf Cafeteria, "The Club," and the Cedar Bar.

The second program, April 1, is titled "The Artist in the Studio." Long a captivating subject for photographers, images of the artist at work in the studio have proven to be some of the most telling records of creativity and process - among them, Brassaï's images of Picasso at work; Hans Namuth's documentation of Pollock in mid-gesture; and the moments captured by Laurie Lambrecht now on view in the Vicente exhibition. In her talk Dr. Longwell will examine this rich history.

Esteban Vicente once said, "Painting should be poor." The April 8 talk will explore the idea and what those words mean in the context of his drawings and paintings. A limited palette, a minimum of tools, and the import of tradition are all part of Vicente's conviction that art is fundamental and essential to our existence.

The noontime talks are free with Museum admission. Guests are invited to bring lunch; the Museum will provide beverages and dessert.