LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton’s iconic 16-acre sculpture garden and cultural sanctuary, radiated with light, color, and community spirit for its 2025 Summer Benefit, LUMINOSITY. Taking place on July 12, the sold-out evening was hailed as the institution’s “most successful benefit ever,” according to LongHouse Board President Louis Bradbury, who praised the efforts of co-chairs Gael Towey and Raisa Lopez-Rhoden for their leadership in making the night unforgettable.
The annual fête brought together artists, patrons, collectors, and creatives for a celebration of art, nature, and the evolving vision of LongHouse, founded by the late legendary textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen. Honored this year were renowned artist Vija Celmins and devoted patrons Mary Jane and Charles Brock. “We may be tonight’s honorees, but we’re really here to celebrate LongHouse,” noted Charles Brock. His wife Mary Jane added, “Mother Nature and Jack Lenor Larsen gave us this masterpiece of a place, so let’s all do what we can to be sure it continues to flourish.”
Celmins, whose work is known for its poetic rigor and meditative stillness, was celebrated for her extraordinary contribution to contemporary art. Richard Armstrong, Director Emeritus of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, described her as “relentless in her pursuit of accuracy,” noting her depictions of the ocean as “portraits of infinity.”
“How many of you have come to LongHouse more than once in a year? Have you seen the four seasons here? Daffodils, cherry blossoms, and azaleas in Spring; lush green of Summer; brilliant Autumn leaves, and spectacular snowdrops and witch hazel in Winter. Tonight, we come together in gratitude for all of it.” – Louis Bradbury
Under the theme of LUMINOSITY, LongHouse transformed into a beacon of vibrant energy, filled with live music, laughter, and what Bradbury described as “community love.” A highlight of the night was a preview of LongHouse’s future plans to open Larsen’s modernist home—modeled after Japan’s Ise Shrine—to the public. Carrie Rebora Barratt, LongHouse’s Director, announced, “Thanks to the support of the Town of East Hampton—which voted to give LongHouse $170,000 for repairs—and a group of our trustees who have matched that number, we are beginning a capital campaign to make Jack’s house a place for all.”
A short film by Gael Towey gave guests an intimate glimpse into the home, narrated by architecture critic Paul Goldberger, who offered a personal tour of Larsen’s design legacy. “At LongHouse, gathering is part of our landscape and our vision,” shared Barratt. “We gather for creativity, connection, and care for the world around us. Your presence tonight sustains a place and a vision.”
The benefit’s art auction, led by Art Chairs Pamela Willoughby and Dianne Benson, was a visual feast of monumental works by over 90 artists including Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Eric Fischl, Laurie Anderson, Daniel Arsham, Renee Cox, Ugo Rondinone, Mary Heilmann, Robert Wilson, Martin Puryear, and of course, Vija Celmins. The curatorial breadth reflected LongHouse’s mission to “inspire living with art in all forms,” bridging the worlds of fine art, sculpture, craft, and nature.
The guest list was equally illustrious, with notable attendees including Peter Bickford and Greg McCarthy, Bonnie Comley, Michele and Marty Cohen, Maryam Eisler, Toni Ross, and artist Robert Wilson, among others. LongHouse Board Members in attendance included Patrick Amato, Emma Clurman, Christopher Coy, Sherri Donghia, Anne Erni, David Fink, Michael Jones, and Suzanne Slesin.
Guests indulged in culinary offerings by Hamptons Aristocrat and sipped libations from sponsors including Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Macari Vineyard, Curamia Tequila, Altima Caviar, and Hampton Water Rosé. The grounds glowed under installations by Fusion Lighting, with decorative touches by Something Vintage Rentals and Stamford Tent enhancing the atmosphere.
As LongHouse prepares for its next chapter—marked by national recognition, infrastructure improvements, and an expanding public program—the evening felt like a collective promise to steward Larsen’s legacy into the future. With plans underway to designate the site on the National Register of Historic Places and landmark its gardens in collaboration with the Cultural Landscape Foundation, LUMINOSITY was more than a benefit—it was a celebration of enduring creativity, resilience, and connection.
ABOUT LONGHOUSE RESERVE
Nestled within the idyllic landscapes of East Hampton, Longhouse Reserve is a sanctuary in a 16-acre environment where the arts and nature converge, creating a haven for those seeking inspiration and serenity. Our unique venue offers curated gardens and outdoor art installations that invite individuals to embark on a journey of discovery, connecting with the beauty that surrounds us.
Current infrastructure work around the property leads us to the promise of opening the house for public tours, an offering that our founder desired and which we pledge to complete as soon as possible. LongHouse has been invited to join the National Register of Historic Places and is working with the Cultural Landscape Foundation to document the history of the property in its entirety, leading to landmark status and preservation in perpetuity.
LongHouse Reserve was created by artist, collector and world-renowned textile designer and weaver Jack Lenor Larsen (1927-2020) with a mission to inspire living with art in all forms. Over the past two years, LongHouse has transitioned from a founder-led to board and staff-led public institution, serving the community with vast open space, programs in art, nature, and wellness, providing a sanctuary for Long Island and beyond. The sculpture garden, featuring more than 60 outdoor works—including permanent collection works by Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, Toshiko Takaezu, and Willem de Kooning, and seasonal loans from artists such as Maren Hassinger, Kenny Scharf, and Gaston Lachaise—encourages exploration and contemplation for new and repeat visitors alike. The garden is fully open to the public for education and enjoyment, with a next chapter of welcoming visitors into Larsen’s home (a modernist structure based on the Shinto Shrine at Ise), so that all can see his extensive craft and design collections.
The mission of LongHouse Reserve is to inspire living with art in all forms. The LongHouse vision is to serve as a living case study of the ever-changing interactions between nature, people, and art. The collections, gardens, art, and programs reflect world cultures and foster a creative life. Core values of creativity, resilience, and sustainability spell out LongHouse’s intentions in the years ahead. LongHouse puts its visitors first with a pledge to inspire creativity, offering a place for respite and community in a garden that will forever flourish without chemicals or harm to nature.
For more on LongHouse Reserve and to plan your visit, head to www.longhouse.org.
