Melanie Crader, Sarah Harrelson, and Gordon VeneKlasen. All photography by Jeff Caldwell and courtesy of Guild Hall.
Behind every great art collection is a collector with a story to tell. At Guild Hall in East Hampton on Sunday, these personal points of view became the subject of a spirited panel with CULTURED Editor-in-Chief Sarah Harrelson, whose first book, The Cultured Collector, chronicles the troves of some of the art world’s most discerning collectors.
The Scene: Just days after CULTURED‘s inaugural CultForum summit, the conversation continued at Guild Hall, where Harrelson joined gallerist Gordon VeneKlasen for an intimate discussion moderated by Guild Hall Museum Director and Curator of Visual Arts Melanie Crader. The panel explored what makes collectors tick, Harrelson’s criteria for the collections she featured, and the personal histories, relationships, and instincts that shape these holdings. Collectors, CULTURED readers, and members of Guild Hall’s creative community took in their conversation with rapt attention.
The Occasion: The gathering celebrated the book’s launch and formidable contents, which put a magnifying glass on 30 distinctive collections through more than 200 photographs and conversations with the likes of musicians Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, artist Rashid Johnson, musician Joe Jonas, patrons Michelle and Jason Rubell, and chef Daniel Humm.
The Crowd: Guests in attendance for the festivities included artists Sara DiOrazio, Toni Ross, Vera Lutter, and Kirsten Benfield; patron Ellen Cantrowitz; author Susan Kaufman; dealers Sara Nightingale and Nicole Kragsbun; producer Jenny Landey; designer Robert Marc; arts leader Sheri Pasquarella; art advisor Barbara Toll; and executives Susan Akkad and Cynthia Lewis.
The Parting Gift: Copies of The Cultured Collector were available for purchase and signing, while guests could also flip through and take home CULTURED‘s coveted September issue.