On the first weekend in March, the Parrish Art Museum launched a reimagined concept for the Museum Café by Elegant Affairs, and unveiled the first artwork created for the space, “Gridded Commune,” a site-specific mural by collection artist Almond Zigmund.
Setting the stage for the Café as a welcoming environment that encourages conviviality and lively exchange, “Gridded Commune” is a celebration of social space and community-building. Affirming the theme of community, Elegant Affairs will emphasize locally sourced products and goods, promoting the creativity of the food industry businesses of the region and supporting the bounty of produce grown on Long Island.
“We are thrilled that these two new projects have come to fruition to celebrate our 125th anniversary year,” said Melanie Crader, deputy director of operations and administration. “They are among the initiatives the Parrish has implemented to enhance the museum experience for our visitors and community.”
“Elegant Affairs believes that a focused, curated, and purposeful café program at the Parrish will greatly enhance the guest experience,” said Peter Lentz, general manager of Elegant Affairs. “Our mission is to shine a light on the wonderful variety of local food and beverage ventures and inspire museumgoers to truly appreciate all our region has to offer.”
Almond Zigmund’s artistic practice focuses in part on large-scale site-responsive installations and paintings that combine geometry, vivid color, and aspects of the built environment. In “Gridded Commune,” the artist has created a spatial field of dynamic patterns and vibrant color blocks that asserts itself in the space. The large figures, positioned in dialogue with one another, are set against a grey grid—echoing the Museum’s iconic architecture.
Elegant Affairs’ Café at the museum will offer a variety of fresh sandwiches and baked goods prepared daily, showcasing vendor partners and supporting new businesses by helping to bring their products to market. Vendors include Blue Duck Bakery & Café, The Hampton Grocer, Mecox Dairy Farm, Sag Harbor Honey, Southfork Bakery, Southampton Cheese Shoppe, Springs Fireplace, Channing Daughters Winery, Wolffer Estate Vineyard, Kid Squid Brewery, Springs Brewery, and Westhampton Brewery.
Current menu items include sandwiches and snack packs from Southampton Cheese Shop, fresh baked goods, coffees, and beverages from many venders, and snacks from Sand Bars Handcrafted and North Fork Potato Chips. There is no Museum admission fee to visit the Café, and museum members receive a 10 percent discount.