artXchange: Connecting Cultures And Community Set To Debut At Guild Hall

This year Guild Hall in East Hampton will replace its annual Fiesta event with the inaugural artXchange – “a celebration of cultural diversity.” On Sunday, November 6th, from 1 to 4 p.m., the East End community is invited to take part in the complimentary afternoon that will be centered around engaging activities that focus on the exchange of customs, ideas, and tales.

“What makes artXchange special this year is that it’s a direct collaboration with the community,” explained Stephanie deTroy Miller, Museum Registrar, Curatorial Assistant, & Education Associate, who curated the event with Jennifer Brondo, JDT General Manager & Associate for Theater Education. “We’ve opened it up and broadened it in such a way that anyone who comes has an opportunity to learn about another culture and connect through poetry, dance, art and music. That’s what art is all about.”

The event will begin with a multi-lingual poetry reading that features Tyler Armstrong, Lukas Ortiz, Heidi Rain Oleszczuk, Tom Oleszczuk and local students, followed by a presentation from the Eastville Community Historical Society with Dr. Georgette Grier-Key.

At 2 p.m., the Shinnecock Youth Council, East Hampton High School Dance Team, and Dan Bailey Tribe Drummers and Sag Harbor United Methodist Church Dancers will take the stage for dance performances.

Attendees can get a taste of Latin American cuisine by visiting the Island Empanadas food truck who will be serving up tasty complimentary bites at 2:30 p.m.

East End-based visual and performing artists including, Aurelio Torres, Amy Pilkington and Kate Mueth, will lead collaborative workshops from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

“Working in theater with high school girls who are new to our culture, language and country in a way that supports their voices, their experiences and their unique offerings has been a deeply insightful journey for me,” shared Mueth. “I see these young members of our community as rich sources of possibility.”

Attendees will also be able to admire the Museum’s exhibitions, which include Connie Fox and William King: An Artist Couple, Michael Knigin: The Holocaust and Anne Frank, William S. Heppenheimer, Charles Ly: Humans & Hides and 2-D artwork that students from grades 6 through 12 created using a different culture as the inspiration.

Guild Hall is excited to debut the community led effort. “We owe a big thank-you to Eva Iacono for her dedication to artXchange,” added deTroy Miller.

artXchange‘s mission is to enhance inclusion, promote appreciation for others, and encourage interaction throughout the East End community.

“With the proper support, opportunities and a warm welcome, art can bring us together with them while granting us all deeper understanding into one another’s human experience,” noted Mueth.

Admission to artXchange is free.

Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information, call 631-324-0806 or visit www.guildhall.org.