This exhibition centers on the rich visual language of American iconography as a catalyst for student creativity. Drawing inspiration from influential American artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Cindy Sherman, Diane Arbus, Vivian Maier, Robert Frank, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, and Ralph Lauren, students explored how recognizable imagery, symbols, objects, and cultural references can be transformed into original works of art.

The “725 Art Show” was originally conceived by the late Elinor and Bob McDade. It was an annual exhibit restricted to resident Sag Harbor artists (“725” refers to the original Sag Harbor telephone exchange) that was held at the Goat Alley Gallery located at the corner of Henry and Division Streets.

In 2018 the show moved to the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, and was held there again one year later, both curated by Museum staff member Michael A. Butler.

The SHWHM is pleased to host this exhibition again this year, featuring painting, sculptures and photography by our local residents, and is also delighted that Mr. Butler will return as our guest curator.

The beguiling form of the fashionable 19th century woman – the billowing hooped skirt, shapely corset, and coquettish parasol – were all made possible thanks to baleen (or, as they called it in the 1800s, “whalebone.”)

The huge strips of baleen found in a whale’s mouth (which they used to filter food from the seawater) was the “plastic” of the 1800s; light, strong, and flexible, it could be molded into hoops for skirts, handles and ribs for parasols, and “busks” that gave corsets their shape.  Without the whaling industry supplying this vital material, women’s fashion in the 1800s may have been very different indeed.

Through a display of fashion magazine plates, examples of “raw” and “worked” baleen, and 10 exquisite dresses highlighting how fashion changed over the decades, When Women Wore Whales explores the surprising and fascinating role that the American whaling industry played in 19th century woman’s fashion.

This marine animal-themed art exhibit, curated by Dave. O., features sculptures and paintings immersed in whale soundscape. Artists featured include Patton Miller, Scott Bluedorn, Isadora Capraro, Georgia Suter, Jim Gingerich, Franco Cuttica, Forrest Gray, Nick Whelan, Kevin Ink, Loren Eiferman, and Cayce Adams.

Come witness 125 years of village history in a way that is only possible through maps! 

Despite her relatively small population, Sag Harbor was the major maritime and commercial hub of eastern Long Island throughout the 1800s, and the local landscape was in almost constant flux over the decades as industry, commerce, population growth, changing technology, philanthropy - and yes, fires - all left their mark over time, and made our village what it is today. 

 (And perhaps more importantly - can you find your house?)

Portraits of Sag Harbor to compare its past to present features.