Outdoor Art Blooms Into Fall: Hamptons Sculpture SIGHTS Extended Through November

Outdoor sculpture has long been a part of the artistic scene in the Hamptons. This summer, two exciting exhibitions, Uncommon Ground VI at Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton and Organic Abstraction at Southampton Arts Center, will now continue through autumn. These shows were originally set to close in September but will now run until November 2. This gives visitors more time to explore the Hamptons Sculpture SIGHTS, the large outdoor art initiative.

Cheryl Sokolow, the founder and curator of C Fine Art, created these exhibitions. Her goal is to incorporate large-scale contemporary sculpture into public spaces across the East End. In partnership with Peconic Land Trust’s Bridge Gardens and the Southampton Arts Center, Sculpture SIGHTS acts as a seasonal open-air gallery, bringing museum-quality art to lush lawns and well-kept gardens.

“We are truly delighted to collaborate with Cheryl to bring world-class sculptures to the Southampton Arts Center for our community and visitors to enjoy,” said Christina Mossaides Strassfield, Executive Director of the Southampton Arts Center.

At Bridge Gardens: Nature as a Mirror

Located at 36 Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton, Uncommon Ground VI returns for its sixth edition. It explores the connection between nature and human intervention. The curated works seem to emerge from the earth itself, creating a subtle dialogue between human design and natural shape. “The dynamic of the garden provides the substrate or ground from which the sculptures are seemingly born,” the exhibition text notes.

Highlights include Norman Mooney’s Windseed, a reflective form inspired by natural occurrences. There are also pieces by Isobel Folb Sokolow, whose fire-welded sculptures capture the raw energy of the Big Bang. The works do not simply exist within nature; they interact with it.

A reception featuring art and music is scheduled for September 13 from 4 to 6 PM. This event invites the public to wander the gardens and engage with the artwork in a communal atmosphere.

At Southampton Arts Center: Form Meets Process

Meanwhile, at 24 Jobs Lane, Organic Abstraction: Contemporary Outdoor Sculpture is in its second season at the Southampton Arts Center. This exhibition focuses on the materials and structure behind each piece. Instead of telling overt stories, these works provide a visual experience that is raw, direct, and tactile.

The show features creations by Kevin Barrett, whose fluid forms reflect the rhythms of both nature and the human body. Other artists include Jane Manus, Bill Barrett, Jerelyn Hanrahan, Joel Perlman, and Carole Eisner. The artwork presents a striking simplicity. It invites viewers to reflect without any guiding narrative.

Together, the two exhibitions create a strong connection between the environment, size, and emotion. This offers viewers an immersive experience that changes with the light, the season, and how they see it.

About the Vision Behind the Series

Cheryl Sokolow holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art history and has over 25 years of experience in the art world. She started C Fine Art in 2009 to focus on dimensional artwork and private placements. With Hamptons Sculpture SIGHTS, she extends her vision to the public, making sculpture not just for galleries, but a part of daily life.

“Notions of nature connect and inspire both exhibitions by material, form, or concept,” she writes in the exhibition notes. She highlights how each piece seamlessly fits within its environment.

Community, Culture, and Cause

Sculpture SIGHTS has a charitable aspect as well. The artworks are for sale, and proceeds support Peconic Land Trust and Southampton Arts Center. These two nonprofits are vital to the region’s environmental and cultural health.

Founded in 1988 and donated to the Peconic Land Trust in 2008, Bridge Gardens serves as a model for sustainable landscaping and community education. The Trust has preserved over 14,000 acres of Long Island land since it began in 1983.

Meanwhile, the Southampton Arts Center remains committed to building community through inclusive, diverse programming. It fosters connections through creativity across the East End.

With both exhibitions now extended through early November, art enthusiasts have more time to explore these ambitious installations. They can discover how thoughtful outdoor sculpture can change our perspective on the world around us.