East End-Based Curator Takes Over Hamptons Gallery To Highlight Local Artists

On Friday, February 12th, Dealer’s Choice III will debut at the Kathryn Markel Gallery. The exhibit, which features small works created by 22 East End-based artists, was curated by Arlene Bujese.

“Anubis” by Sarah Jafe Turnbull.

“The show is collection of artists who have shown over the years in my former gallery; there a few new artists I have met since those days,” explained Bujese. “As I thought of the artists I favor, the list grew; hence the salon style installation.”

This is the third year that Bujese has organized the February exhibit at the Bridgehampton Gallery. “There are so many artists on the East End deserving of recognition, and too few galleries, and this is an opportunity to give the public an idea of who is here,” added Bujese. The exhibit showcases paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, and printmaking.

Featured artists include Shari Abramson, Marcel Bally, Sheila Batiste, Monica Banks, Deborah Black, Stephanie Brody-Lederman, Darlene Charneco, Mary Daunt, Josh Dayton, A. G. Duggan, Patricia Feiwel, Pamela Collins Focarino, Carol Hunt, Sarah Jafe Turnbull, Dennis Leri, Setha Low, Christa Maiwald, Fulvio Massi, Robert Mehling, Alexander Russo, Dan Welden, and Lewis Zacks.

“Arlene Bujese is a discerning curator and gallerist who has earned the respect and gratitude of many of the finest artists and collectors on the East End, and I am always honored and happy to be included in her exhibitions,” said artist Monica Banks. “She manages to keep the artist’s and the collector’s best interests at heart at all times, quite a remarkable feat.”

“Verse” by Monica Banks.

For her part in Dealer’s Choice III, Banks picked a piece with a worldwide inspiration. “Verse is part of a series of works that explore the unacknowledged victims of natural and human-induced disasters and injustices,” explained Banks about her featured piece. “Unfortunately, domestic and international current events make this theme as timely as ever, so I felt that including it in this show would be particularly evocative.”

An opening reception for Dealer’s Choice III will take place on Saturday, February 13th from 4 to 6 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, March 6th.

Kathryn Markel Gallery is located at 2418 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. For more information, call 631-613-6386 or visit www.markelfinearts.com.