“Divine Intervention” To Support Community Cafe

Divine Intervention, a Summer Exhibition at Christ Episcopal Church, will debut on Saturday, June 1.

Curated by Teri Hackett, the exhibition showcases the works of 34 artists from the East End and New York City, encompassing a collection of installations, paintings, photography, sculpture and artists books.

“I came up with the idea on February 14 at Saint John the Divine in Harlem after experiencing an amazing show of art installations. I called Karen, my sister, the priest of Christ Church, and said, ‘Let’s do it at your church.’ Karen was so enthusiastic and here we are installing a fantastic show of wonderful artists,” Hackett noted.

The site specific Jib Net, by Lisa Hein and Bob Seng, will welcome attendees, while artists Bastienne Schmidt and Almond Zigmund found inspiration in the Church’s vestibule and bell tower, which they have transformed into a metaphorical point of access adorned with vinyl, threads and fabrics, color and pattern.

Inside, the beautiful 1917 Tiffany window is accentuated by the works of Drew Shiflett, Carole Seborovski and April Gornik.

The smaller stained glass windows will be complimented by the paintings of Reynold Ruffins, Maureen McQuillan and Karen Arm. There will also be works by Amanda Church, Leah Guadagnoli, Theresa Hackett, Leo Holder, Dennis Hollingsworth, Erica-Lynn Huberty, Mary Jones, Christa Maiwald, Ray Manikowski, Diane Mayo, Nell Painter, Marilla Palmer, Liza Phillips, Bonnie Rychlak, Anne Seelbach, Alison Slon, John Torreano and Michelle Weinberg. Artists Books by Angela Britzman, Barbara Friedman, Elisabeth Condon, Janet Goleas, Stephen White and Jodi Panas will also be highlighted.

“A few months ago, Teri and I were talking at an opening day in the city and she pitched the idea of a group show in a church in Sag Harbor. The first thought the popped in my mind was of a chrysalis, a mental image of an assemblage of paint covered text letters that I used years ago to make paintings, enveloped in a translucent shell,” Hollingsworth explained. “So I made it. And now it’s in the show.”

The exhibition, which marks the first contemporary visual art project at Christ Episcopal Church, “is a visual treasure hunt that celebrates and refreshes the church, long acknowledged as a place where community can gather.”

50 percent of all Divine Intervention sales will support the Church’s Community Cafe, which will serve those in the Sag Harbor area that are lonely and/or food insecure. According to statistics, East Hampton is home to the highest number of food insecure residents in Suffolk County, with over 7.9 percent of residents not knowing how they will procure their next meal.

“Our desire is to hold a free dinner, served with dignity, restaurant style, once a week for the community,” revealed Reverend Karen Ann Campbell, Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, who is spearheading this initiative.

Divine Intervention will be on display from Saturday, June 1 through Monday, September 2. There will be an Opening Reception on Saturday, June 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition will be open to the public on Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as by appointment.

Christ Episcopal Church is located at 5 Hampton Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-0128 or 978-835-2672 or visit www.christchurchshny.org.