Grey Gardens Among Parrish Art Museum’s “Landscape Pleasures” Stops

From Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11, the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is offering a variety of garden tours, lectures, and landscape programs as part of its beloved Landscape Pleasures, which not only educates the public about East End landscapes, but also allows them to experience exquisite local gardens, landscape design and sustainable landscape architecture firsthand.

Attendees can explore Grey Gardens. (Photo: The Corcoran Group)

“This year’s very special event kicks off on Friday evening with the Parrish’s new Inter-sections series on architecture and landscape design, followed by a great panel of speakers Saturday morning,” said Landscape Pleasures vice-chair Tony Piazza. “We wrap up the experience on Sunday with several truly extraordinary gardens to tour.”

Landscape Pleasures programming will launch on Friday, June 9 with Inter-Sections: The Architect in Conversation which will explore the aesthetics of sustainability. Starting at 6 p.m., Chris Reed and Alex Matthiessen will discuss how architects, landscape designers and community representatives can work together in order to implement low-impact and regenerative projects. Reed, founder and director of landscape firm Stoss, is currently a Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. Reed’s innovative approach to public spaces and landscape design has been recognized internationally. Matthieseen, president of eco-political consulting firm Blue Marble Project, has led large-scale environmental initiatives and also developed Green Energy Parks, for which he received a White House Presidential Award. Matthieseen has also been involved in building New York’s leading clean water nonprofit, Riverkeeper.

On Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11, the Museum will present its highly anticipated annual horticulture event, Landscape Pleasures.

The event will kick-off on Saturday, June 10 at 9 a.m. with the Landscape Pleasures Symposium featuring three renowned figures in garden and landscape. Paige Dickey has written on gardening and design for a number of magazines, including House & Garden and Fine Gardening. She is also the author of seven books and the editor of Outstanding American Gardens. Dickey will be discussing her favorite gardens. Christine Ten Eyck is a founder of Ten Eyck Landscape Architects based in Austin, Texas. Ten Eyck is a registered landscape architect in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. Ten Eyck will be talking about the beauty of Texas and the southwest. R. William Thomas resides at Chanticleer, a 48-acre pleasure garden, and leads the staff in its development of the garden. Thomas will share his insights into the art of gardening. The symposium is expected to conclude by 12:30pm.

Sunday’s tour will include a stop at Grey Gardens. (Photo: The Corcoran Group)

On Sunday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can participate in self-guided tours with exclusive access to private gardens in Water Mill and East Hampton. Tourgoers will have the opportunity to explore Grey Gardens, the former home of the Beale Sisters, who were featured in Albert Maysles and David Maysles’ documentary about the sisters, who are relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Those who purchase sponsor Landscape Pleasures tickets are invited to attend a private cocktail reception at the estate of Louise and Leonard Riggio on Sunday. Benefactor ticket holders are also invited to attend a Saturday afternoon luncheon hosted by Parrish Trustee Veronica Atkins.

“The Parrish enhances our local community in so many ways,” added Piazza. “As a committee we are thrilled to support those efforts though this event.”

Tickets to Inter-Sections: Landscape Architecture and the Environment are $12, but free for members, children, and students. Tickets to Landscape Pleasures start at $175.

The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. For more information, call 631-283-2118 or visit parrishart.org