Eastville Community Historical Society Commemorating “The Age Of Allure” Opening And 35th Annual Fish Fry – The Take-Out Edition

Saturday, July 25 is a big day for the Eastville Community Historical Society. The Sag Harbor-based organization will open its summer solo exhibit, The Age of Allure, and will also be hosting its 35th Annual Fish Fry – take-out edition.

The Age of Allure, a historically based art exhibit by Sabina Streeter, focuses on the Eastville community’s African and Native American residents in the 19th century. The Age of Allure is a continuum of the artist’s previous exhibits, Captains, Mates and Widows (2014), Sister Sailors and Sons of Sag Harbor (2015), and The Five Wives of Captain Hand: A Maritime Melodrama (2017). “Eastville Community Historical Society director Dr. Georgette Grier invited me about a year ago to work on a series of portraits based on tintypes that had been found beneath the floorboards of the former Eastville studio of photographer W.G Howard,” Streeter explained. “The portraits were exhibited in a wonderful 2014 show entitled Collective Identities – of which I have based my work.”

Streeter, who was born in Germany, has lived in Sag Harbor with her family since 1992. The contemporary artist’s work is based on history and classical traditions, using charcoal, pastel, gouache, and oils in her art, resulting in abstract, figurative pieces that draw attention to past and present social issues.

“In these challenging times, to illustrate and emphasize the depth and diversity of our local history is more important than ever before. I hope I have done some justice to the Eastville community with this series of paintings,” Streeter stated.

“Sabina’s work has a unique conceptual content and an aura of cool detachment that is ironic without being jaded or exaggerated. If I had to choose one living artist to distill my likeness on canvas, it would be her,” Alanna Heiss, founder of MoMA PS1, said about Streeter’s work.

Eastville Community Historical Society will fête The Age of Allure during an opening reception at 12:00 p.m.

Later on, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., the Eastville Community Historical Society will host its 35th Annual Fish Fry, which will be take-out only. The Fish Fry started as an annual fundraiser, but quickly evolved into an event that unites the community while building fellowship. This year, the Eastville Community Historical Society is teaming up with Mr. Smith’s Seafood II and more to bring amazing food to attendees. The Fish Fry is based on love, soul food, and coming together with community. This friend-raiser depends on the participation of friends and the Eastville community at large. Tickets are $25, which includes dinner, beverage and dessert. Those picking up food are expected to wear face masks and follow established social distancing protocols.

Proceeds will support Eastville Community Historical Society’s mission of “preserving historic buildings and research, collecting and disseminating information about the history of the Eastville area of Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, County of Suffolk, State of New York, and one of the earliest known working-class communities composed of African Americans, Native Americans and European immigrants.”

Eastville Heritage House is located at 139 Hampton Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, visit www.eastvillehistorical.org. For Fish Fry tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com.