Long Island-Based Artist Collective Partners With The Parrish For “Road Show”

The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is set to debut an off-site summer series, Parrish Road Show, featuring the Bellport-based artist collective, Auto Body. This exhibit attempts to enhance the perception of one Long Island’s oldest roadways, Montauk Highway, by transforming common roadside signage into public art through text.

“I’m excited to work with Auto Body to connect the East End to other areas of Long Island, in this case Bellport, and all that lies in between,” said Corinne Erni, Curator of Special Projects at the Parrish. “We invite visitors to rediscover an historic highway and the natural beauty surrounding it, as well as the local businesses—farms, motels, canoe rentals, restaurants—along the road who graciously agreed to host the artworks.”

The artwork is positioned along a 35-mile span of Montauk Highway and consists of nature-themed phrases painted on wood boards. Each board highlights a nearby natural site and informational material at each site will map out and provide insight on the locations. The artists attempt to redirect the advertising world away from consumerism and toward the natural environments of the region.

Parrish Road Show will premiere on Tuesday, August 1, with an opening reception taking place on Saturday, August 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Bush Farms and Museum. Bush Farms and Museum was originally a dairy farm that was converted into a duck farm in the 1940s. The owner’s, Ron Bush, collection of farm tools, equipment, trucks, and tractors are contained in eleven buildings on the five-acre property. Guests at the Road Show opening will have the opportunity to explore the farm collection and also a display of custom footwear but Bush’s aunt, Elizabeth Katz, who has designed shoes for first ladies and movie stars.

There will also be a closing reception held for the show on Sunday, August 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Parrish Art Museum.

Both receptions are free and open to the public.

The Parrish Road Show series began in 2012 and has been presented annually since its launch.

Auto Body was founded in Bellport in 2014 and uses Long Island’s environment as their inspiration, a resource and a venue for their innovative actions. The group is composed of eight artists and designers: Tyler Healy, Johnny Knapp, Aria McManus, Claire Read, Georgia Read, Will Rose, Quinn Sherman and Charlie Stravinsky.

Bush Farms and Museum is located at 2948 Montauk Highway in Brookhaven. The Parrish Art Museum is located at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill. For more information, visit www.parrishart.org.