Discover Parrish Art Museum: Art & History On Long Island

Could a museum truly capture the soul of a region, celebrating its artistic heritage and its global impact? The Parrish Art Museum, nestled in the heart of Water Mill, New York, boldly answers in the affirmative, offering a compelling journey through the creative legacy of Long Island's East End and beyond.

The Parrish Art Museum, a beacon for contemporary and historical art, stands as a testament to the enduring power of creativity. It's more than just a repository of art; it's a living, breathing organism that fosters a deep connection between artists, art enthusiasts, and the community. Located at 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976, the museum invites visitors to explore its rich tapestry of collections, exhibitions, programs, and events, all designed to celebrate the artistic spirit.

Category Details
Museum Name Parrish Art Museum
Location 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976
Focus Contemporary and Historical Art of the East End of Long Island, New York; American Art
Founded 1898 (Moved to current location in 2012)
Key Initiatives Education programs, Access Parrish (artistic learning for people with special needs)
Architects (New Building) Herzog & de Meuron
Notable Exhibitions Shirin Neshat, Sean Scully, Hiroshi Sugimoto, KAWS, and more.
Collection Highlights Permanent collection, works by American artists, focus on the creative legacy of the East End.
Website parrishart.org

The museum's commitment extends beyond simply displaying art. It's a place where one can delve into the history, the collections, and the very architecture of the space. The current building, designed by the renowned Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, is a masterpiece in itself. Its design, inspired by the surrounding landscape and the essence of artists' studios, is characterized by clean lines, glass walls, and a welcoming shaded porch. The evolution of the museum, with its humble beginnings in 1898, to its modern incarnation is a tale of perseverance and adaptation.

The Parrish Art Museum offers a unique opportunity to discover and connect with the world of art and the artists who shape it. It is inspired by the unique natural and historical artistic community of Long Islands East End and the creative process. The museum celebrates its legacy through a distinctive approach, which includes an exploration of American art and the evolution of artistic movements.

The museum's educational programs and the initiatives that create artistic learning experiences for people with special needs are supported by various organizations. These organizations include the New York State Council on the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and individual donors. These financial contributions demonstrate the commitment to fostering artistic expression and engagement with the community.

The Parrish Art Museum's collections include a diverse range of works. The museum is known to display both contemporary and historical art. The museum also showcases temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, including Shirin Neshat, Sean Scully, Hiroshi Sugimoto, and more. A prime example is the piece titled "The Three Sisters," a 2021 creation by an unknown artist, using a mix of acrylics, wampum dust, soil from the museum grounds (formerly a potato field), canvas, cotton textiles, paper potato bags, and paper bags with archival prints on PVC marine vinyl. The piece exemplifies the museum's commitment to showcasing innovative and culturally rich works.

One poignant aspect of the museum's story is the impact of external factors on its operations. Due to recent executive orders from the Trump administration to downsize the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the museum reported a loss of over $140,000 in federal funding. This funding had been instrumental in supporting the museum's educational programs and initiatives, such as "Access Parrish," which provides artistic learning experiences to individuals with special needs.

The museum's approach to exhibitions is designed to engage a wide audience and provide diverse artistic perspectives. From April 2025 to February 2026, the museum will present a series of shows with varied themes and details, as per the upcoming schedule. The aim is to facilitate a deeper understanding of art and the artists who create it.

The museum invites the public to engage with art in various ways. Viewers can browse books and catalogs published in conjunction with exhibitions or on works within the museum's collection, which offers a unique opportunity to engage with the art and its context. Furthermore, donations play a crucial role in supporting the museum's mission to showcase the artistic heritage of the region.

The influence of individual artists is a core element of the museum's character. Hiroshi Sugimoto, the Japanese artist, and his photolithographic series acquired in 2022, is a prime example. His work explores the atmospheric changes around vast bodies of water, emphasizing the museum's commitment to highlighting artists who push the boundaries of creativity.

Another captivating exhibition featured artist KAWS. The exhibition explored his diverse artistic output over the last decade, highlighting his consistent engagement with American popular culture. This approach highlights the museum's role in presenting American artists who are at the forefront of new creative languages and global art movements.

The new building for the Parrish Art Museum, designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, is a significant landmark. The design, inspired by the landscape and artists' studios, features a simple form, glass walls, and a shaded porch. It's a testament to the museum's commitment to a forward-thinking design that provides a captivating experience. The museum's programs are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts, the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and the property taxpayers from the Southampton School District and the Tuckahoe Common School District.

In the evening, the facade of the Parrish Art Museum becomes a canvas for "Collider," visible every evening from 4 p.m., which adds another dimension to the public's interaction with art. One can also visit parrishart.org for additional details.

A current example, Ferns Teeth, a survey of the artists varied approaches to working with stone, a primary material for Moyers over the past ten years. The museum's willingness to explore such topics offers visitors opportunities to discover how artists are influenced by their surroundings and use those materials to inspire their work.

The legacy of the Parrish Art Museum is a narrative of continuity and evolution. The museum's rich history, from its founding in 1898 to its move to its present site in 2012, demonstrates a steadfast dedication to art and the community. The museum's journey also illustrates the capacity for adaptation and resurgence, ensuring that it continues to resonate with the world of art and inspire generations of art enthusiasts.

The museum is more than just a building; it's a cultural hub that helps viewers understand and engage with artists and art, celebrating the legacy of the East End and its impact on the global art world. The Parrish Art Museum illuminates the creative process, demonstrating how art and artists transform experiences and understanding of the world and how we live in it.

With thousands of works by acclaimed artists, the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is an essential cultural destination, continuing to enrich the artistic landscape of Long Island and beyond.

Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill, NY parrishart Parrish Art Museum
Gallery of Parrish Art Museum / Herzog & de Meuron 22
Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill, NY parrishart Parrish Art Museum

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