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Southampton Arts Center’s Patrons Circle Dinner

Photo by M.Sagliocco for Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com

On Friday, August 20, Southampton Arts Center hosted its second annual Patrons Circle Dinner, sponsored by Graff, in the iconic Caesar Garden as an intimate appreciation dinner attended and supported by new and old friends alike. This critical fundraising event is responsible for more than one-third of SAC’s annual contributed income.

Simone Levinson, SAC founding co-chair, greeted guests at the dinner, which was held in lieu of the organizations’ annual SummerFest Gala. “Over 10 years ago as the founders of Southampton Arts Center and I sat around my kitchen table, we set out to establish the Village of Southampton as an arts district. Here we are today in our ninth season thriving in our mission to build community through the arts. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, we had attracted over 50,000 visitors to our 250 programs each year. Today, our neighbors include Christie’s, The Peter Marino Art Foundation, Hauser and Wirth, Phillips, and Southampton African American Museum. As much as we have accomplished with the support of partners and friends, we know there are still so many new opportunities that lie ahead. We have not come this far, just to come this far!”

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated and generous group of individuals that have continued to support this institution.” SAC trustee Elyn Kronemeyer said of the event. “This smaller, more intimate dinner served as a way to show our appreciation and gratitude for their support of arts, culture, and our community. It was a truly beautiful, special evening.”

SAC executive director Tom Dunn commented at the dinner, “Whether it’s National Geographic’s Photo Ark, 2020 Vision with the New York Academy of Art, Peter Marino’s Counterpoint, our celebrated East End Collected series, our outdoor films or silent discos, or now, BEYOND THE STREETS on PAPER, it all goes back to our mission. We partner with world class organizations and we present work that matters to this community. Art that inspires, that informs, and that serves as an economic driver. And it’s all with the intention of strengthening our community through the arts.”

In the stunning, recently renovated Caesar Garden, 70+ of the East End’s most philanthropic patrons enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an intimate seating dinner, catered by Acquolina.

Guests included Simone and David Levinson, J. Whitney Stevens, Elyn and Jeff Kronemeyer, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Marc Hruschka, president and CEO of GRAFF USA, Peter Marino, Anja Vacca, Barbara Tober, and Rick Friedman.