LongHouse Reserve glowed with color, community, and celebration during its most successful benefit to date, held on Saturday, July 12th. Aptly themed Luminosity, the Hamptons evening event gathered supporters, artists, and philanthropists to honor the legacy of founder Jack Lenor Larsen and sustain this treasured cultural haven.
A Night of Gratitude and Community
“Tonight is our most successful benefit ever!” declared Louis Bradbury, LongHouse Reserve Board President. With 100% board participation, the benefit sold out before invitations were even mailed. Bradbury praised co-chairs Gael Towey and Raisa Lopez-Rhoden for their leadership and reflected on LongHouse’s seasonal beauty: “Have you seen the four seasons here? Daffodils, cherry blossoms, and azaleas in Spring; lush green of Summer; brilliant Autumn leaves, and spectacular snowdrops and witch hazel in Winter. Tonight, we come together in gratitude for all of it.”
Honorees Charles and Mary Jane Brock echoed this sentiment, celebrating both nature and the vision of founder Larsen. “Mother Nature and Jack Lenor Larson gave us this masterpiece of a place,” said Mary Jane Brock, urging guests to help ensure LongHouse continues to flourish.
Elegant Cocktails and Inspired Cuisine
Guests were greeted with vibrant cocktails by Curamia Tequila and a lavish array of culinary offerings. Floating cigarette trays and specialty bites made their way through the gardens, while stations invited guests to build their own indulgent plates.
Cocktail Hour Highlights:
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Altima Caviar with truffle potato chips and blinis
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Oysters on the half shell
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Balsam Farm squash quesadillas
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Tuna tostadas with avocado mousse
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BBQ mushroom maki tacos
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Lobster rolls
Passed Hors d’Oeuvres:
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Crispy rice with salmon sashimi
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Cacio e pepe arancini
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Nori crackers with crab salad
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Watermelon nigiri
Dinner, prepared by Hamptons Aristocrat, featured a seasonal panzanella salad, house-made mafaldine pasta with summer pesto, and parmesan-crusted chicken. A shared sous vide ribeye rounded out the meal, followed by desserts from Carissa’s Breads.
Honoring Artistic Excellence
The evening also paid tribute to artist Vija Celmins, whom Richard Armstrong, Director Emeritus of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, lauded as “relentless in her pursuit of accuracy.” A video preview narrated by architecture critic Paul Goldberger offered guests a glimpse into Larsen’s modernist home, which LongHouse plans to open to the public.
Carrie Rebora Barratt, LongHouse Director, announced the start of a capital campaign to restore the house, bolstered by $170,000 in support from the Town of East Hampton and matching funds from trustees. “At LongHouse, gathering is part of our landscape and our vision,” Barratt said. “We gather for creativity, connection, and care for the world around us.”
A Remarkable Art Auction
Benefit Art Chairs Pamela Willoughby and Dianne Benson assembled an extraordinary collection for the art auction, featuring works by icons including Laurie Anderson, Daniel Arsham, Tony Bechara, Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Ugo Rondinone, and Kenny Scharf.
Distinguished Guests
The evening welcomed a who’s who of the arts and philanthropic community, including board members and supporters such as Patrick Amato, Emma Clurman, Maryam Eisler, Anne Erni, David Fink, Michael Jones, Suzanne Slesin, Linda Willett, Michele Oka Doner, Mark Mitton, Toni Ross, Robert Wilson, and many others.
About LongHouse Reserve
Nestled on 16 acres in East Hampton, LongHouse Reserve is a living laboratory of art and nature founded by textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen. Home to over 60 outdoor sculptures by artists including Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, and Willem de Kooning, LongHouse inspires visitors to live creatively and sustainably.
LongHouse is working toward joining the National Register of Historic Places and completing landmark status to preserve the property in perpetuity. The forthcoming opening of Larsen’s house marks a new chapter in making this unique cultural resource accessible to all.
Plan Your Visit
LongHouse Reserve is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:30–5:00pm. Members enjoy additional access on Saturday mornings. General admission is $20, with free and discounted entry for seniors, veterans, students, and children.
For more information, visit www.longhouse.org or explore LongHouse Reserve on the Bloomberg Connects app.
LongHouse Reserve thanks its sponsors and community partners including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Whitmores, Loro Piana, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Curamia Tequila, and many more for making this luminous evening possible.