LongHouse Reserve isn’t just a garden—it’s a 16-acre wonderland where nature and art collide in the most inspiring ways. On Saturday, July 12, the highly anticipated “Luminosity” Benefit and Art Auction lit up the grounds with cocktails, live music, and an exceptional art auction, followed by dinner and dancing under the stars.
Tucked into the serene beauty of East Hampton, the Reserve invites you to wander through meticulously curated landscapes dotted with bold, thought-provoking sculptures by legendary artists like Yoko Ono, Willem de Kooning, and Buckminster Fuller. Every twist and turn reveals something new—this is not your typical garden walk.
Before heading to LongHouse Reserve, I kicked off the day with something completely new—an early ride on the Jitney! It was my very first time, and it dropped me right into the heart of East Hampton, where I spent the morning exploring the charming boutiques and hidden gems around town. That alone felt like a little adventure—but nothing could’ve prepared me for the magic that awaited.
Originally envisioned by the brilliant textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen, LongHouse was designed to show how art can be a living, breathing part of daily life. Larsen, a pioneering textile designer, founded his iconic firm in 1952 and became synonymous with innovative, natural-fiber fabrics and modern design. Celebrated worldwide, Larsen’s influence extended far beyond weaving—he was a scholar, collector, and visionary. His home, LongHouse, was built as a living showcase of creativity and harmony between art and nature. In his later reflections, he spoke of LongHouse as his enduring legacy: a space where trees, sculpture, and spirit evolve together, shaped not by rigid plans but by openness to what might unfold.
PHOTOS by BFA, Patrick McMullan, and 27 East Creative
Now, with major infrastructure updates underway, Larsen’s dream of opening his extraordinary home to the public is finally coming true. This architectural gem—a modernist structure inspired by a Shinto shrine—is expected to be a key highlight in future visits, offering a rare look inside the mind and environment of a design legend.
Recent celebrations at LongHouse reflected not only on the property’s unique past but on its vibrant future. The benefit evening honored individuals who have long supported LongHouse’s mission and legacy, and recognized the visionary artist whose dedication to truth and detail mirrors the spirit of the gardens themselves. It was an emotional and energizing night, filled with gratitude, purpose, and renewed commitment to keeping Larsen’s vision alive.
My time there didn’t even scratch the surface as the space is so vast with beauty, you could easily spend the day. We were welcomed with beautifully crafted cocktails and elegant hors d’oeuvres as guests mingled freely throughout the grounds. Live performances unfolded across the gardens, adding energy and movement to the serene setting. Inside the house, a striking art exhibition invited quiet reflection and close looking—offering yet another layer to an already immersive and inspiring evening.
A preview film shown during the event helped unveil the exciting plans ahead for the Reserve, and underscored the transformative power of art in nature. From heartfelt speeches to surprise announcements, the gathering felt less like a gala and more like a rallying call—a beautiful, candlelit reminder of how much one place can mean to so many.
PHOTOS by BFA, Patrick McMullan, and 27 East Creative
The evening also brought together a who’s who of artists, collectors, and supporters from across the art and design world. With a dazzling art auction featuring work from more than 80 artists, delicious bites from beloved Hamptons culinary names, and the kind of spirited community energy that feels increasingly rare, the benefit stood out as a true highlight of the season.
As LongHouse Board President Louis Bradbury put it, “This is our most successful benefit ever! We’re grateful to our incredible co-chairs, Gael Towey and Raisa Lopez-Rhoden, for their leadership in bringing tonight to life.”
“We may be tonight’s honorees, but we’re really here to celebrate LongHouse”, said Charles Brock, who was honored alongside his wife, Mary Jane Brock. She continued, “Mother Nature and Jack Lenor Larson (LongHouse Founder) gave us this masterpiece of a place, so let’s all do what we can to be sure it continues to flourish!”. Also honored was artist Vija Celmins, who was described by Richard Armstrong (Director Emeritus, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation) as “relentless in her pursuit of accuracy. Often, that pursuit results in perfection. Her close observation of the ocean and her meticulous rendering of it strike me as portraits of infinity.”
“We are excited that LongHouse will soon be ready to open Jack’s house to the public!” announced Carrie Rebora Barratt (LongHouse Director). “Thanks to the support of the Town of East Hampton – which voted to give LongHouse $170,000 for repairs – and to a group of our trustees who have matched that number, creating the start of a capital campaign to continue this work.” Guests saw a sneak peek of what’s to come for the house in a video by Gael Towey. “Paul Goldberger, who is with us here tonight – author, professor, and acclaimed architecture critic for The New York Times and The New Yorker – takes us through the house that Jack built. We are grateful to you all, and we can’t wait to welcome you inside. At LongHouse, gathering is part of our landscape and our vision. We are part of this living composition.”
PHOTOS by BFA, Patrick McMullan, and 27 East Creative
Whether you’re an art lover, garden enthusiast, or just someone looking for a peaceful escape, LongHouse offers a rare chance to experience the fusion of creativity, sustainability, and reflection. Their commitment to preserving the gardens without harmful chemicals also speaks volumes—this is a place that honors nature just as much as it celebrates art.
LongHouse Reserve is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays, from 12:30 PM to 5:00 PM. For an extra-special experience, members can enjoy “Member Mornings” on Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, which include walking tours, art-making sessions, and other curated activities. General admission is $20, while seniors receive half-price tickets. Admission is free for veterans, active-duty military, members of the Shinnecock Nation, children under 12, and students with valid ID.
You can find more details or plan your visit by heading to www.longhouse.org.
Sponsors included Hamptons Aristocrat as well as sponsors Bloomberg Philanthropies, Whitmores, Sunbrella, L’Oreal, Loro Piana, Northern Trust, Robert Brown Interior Design, Hamptons Magazine, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, The Colony Hotel, Café Aroma, Carissa’s Bakery, Stamford Tent, Fusion Lighting, Aristocrat Hospitality, Hampton Water Rosé, Macari Vineyard, Curamia Tequila, Altima Caviar Sagaponack Distillery, Hamptons Ice, Something Vintage Rentals, Mecox Bay Dairy, Balsam Farms, Veronica Beard, Yacht Kelpie, The Roundtree Hotel, PeoplePool Valet, and Diptyque.
