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A New Creative Home for Black Artists Is Taking Shape in Sag Harbor
The Hamptons Black Arts Council is building more than an artists’ residency. It’s reclaiming a cultural legacy that has been part of the East End for generations.
Most people who visit Sag Harbor see the waterfront homes and the sailboats docked in the harbor. They think of summer parties and the typical Hamptons lifestyle, often missing the older layers of the village. Long before the area became a destination for luxury living, there was Eastville. Established in the early 19th century, it was one of the first free Black communities in the country, home to landowners and families who shaped the local culture. For a long time, this history wasn’t part of the main story people told about the East End.
Storm Ascher started the Hamptons Black Arts Council in 2023 to address that gap. As a curator and advocate, she wanted to create a space for Black artists and ensure the region’s history was preserved. Since then, the organization has been running exhibitions and public programs aimed at reconnecting the modern Hamptons with its actual past.
The council is now working on a new project to establish a permanent artists’ residency in Sag Harbor. The goal is to provide a place where creatives of color can live and work throughout the year. By setting it up near Eastville, the project aims to link new artists with the history of the settlement. It isn’t just about giving people a studio; it is about building a hub where they can engage with the community and the local heritage.
To fund this residency, the council has organized a fundraising weekend around Juneteenth. The centerpiece was a three-day retreat and a luncheon at the Watermill Center honoring Anthony Akinbola. Akinbola is a Nigerian American artist known for work that explores identity and culture. He plans to debut a new installation on the grounds and speak about how his practice has changed over the years. His involvement is a key part of the council’s effort to highlight voices that are shaping contemporary art.
The weekend also included the opening of the council’s annual exhibition at the Eastville Heritage House Museum. Titled IT IS WRITTEN in the sand, the show marks a transition for the museum as it begins building a contemporary art collection in partnership with the council. Other events on the schedule include a tour of Arcmanoro Niles’s exhibition at Guild Hall and a performance by dancer Lloyd Knight.
These efforts point toward a shift in how the East End views itself. While the area is famous for its scenery and social scene, groups like the Hamptons Black Arts Council are pushing for a broader perspective. They are working to make sure Black history and contemporary artists have a permanent role in the cultural life of the region. For Ascher and her team, the focus is on creating a lasting structure that recognizes what came before while supporting what comes next. These stories have always been at the foundation of the community, but now they are getting a dedicated space where they can be seen and remembered.
To learn more, visit www.hamptonsblackartscouncil.org.