Andy Warhol’s former Montauk estate, previously a sanctuary for renowned figures such as Jackie Kennedy, The Rolling Stones, Elizabeth Taylor, Liza Minnelli, and Halston, will come alive again this autumn with a series of workshops.
The Nature Conservancy in New York, in partnership with the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, will host its annual Andy Warhol Visual Arts Program, featuring four artists who will lead outdoor workshops at the Andy Warhol Preserve in Montauk.
Selected from a record pool of applicants, Art Werger, Jessamyn Go, Alia Knowlan, and Eleanor Kagan will each lead the workshops, which are free and open to the public, aiming to guide participants to nature for contemplation, inspiration, and creation.
This 15-acre coastal property, gifted to the Conservancy by the Warhol Foundation in 1992, is rarely open to the public, making this a unique opportunity to visit the inspiring natural setting. As Warhol himself once wrote, “I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own.”
“We’re excited to continue this vibrant tradition of art and nature on Long Island’s East End,” said Bill Ulfelder, executive director of The Nature Conservancy in New York. “The artist workshops on the Andy Warhol Preserve not only celebrate the beauty of nature and the ever-changing ocean and coastline, they offer a creative platform to explore and raise awareness about Montauk’s vulnerability and potential resilience in the face of escalating climate pressures like sea-level rise and more intense storms. Art can connect us to nature and to each other. We deeply appreciate the support of The Andy Warhol Foundation in making this experience possible.”
“The Andy Warhol Foundation is pleased to support The Nature Conservancy in presenting the Andy Warhol Visual Arts Program. This program provides artists with an opportunity to connect art and nature and combines two significant aspects of Warhol’s legacy: preserving and caring for the land in Montauk, which he valued and shared, and nurturing the creativity of artists,” said Joel Wachs, President of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The series will begin on Saturday, October 4, from 11 AM to 3 PM, with “Werger, Plein-Air Drawing on Black Paper.” Artist Art Werger will guide participants in interpreting the natural landscape through colored pencils and watercolor. By focusing on shape, form, and color relationships, the workshop will help participants move beyond the challenge of representing vast landscapes to capture both the beauty and the emotion of the environment.
On Saturday, October 11, it’s “Jessamyn Go, Shaping the Shoreline” from 11 AM to 3 PM. Artist Jessamyn Go will guide participants through an immersive, land-based workshop focused on creating ornamental ceramic sound devices such as percussive pendants, wind chimes, and hanging forms. These sculptural objects will incorporate natural found materials from the shoreline. Participants are also invited to bring their own shoreline souvenirs to integrate into their work.
The series continues with “Alia Knowlan, Colors of the Living World” on Saturday, November 1, from noon to 3 PM. Artist Alia Knowlan teaches participants how to create inks and paints out of plants. This is a 100% biodegradable process where students mix plant matter with water and a sap-based binder to make a watercolor. Students can then shift the ink’s color using bio-based modifiers like vinegar and baking soda and explore simple painting exercises.
“Eleanor Kagan, Threads of Nature: Observing Birds Through Art” concludes the series on Saturday, November 8, from 11 AM to 2 PM. Artist Eleanor Kagan will lead a gentle bird walk around the preserve, where participants will be invited to observe and record what they see through blind contour drawings, quick sketches, notes, lists, or simple attention. Participants will then use those observations to inspire bird portraits on fabric.
To register and learn more, visit nature.org/nyevents.