Mark your calendars and break out your chicest summer black tie—Southampton Arts Center’s (SAC) most glamorous night of the season is back! On Saturday, August 23rd, the beloved SummerFest Gala returns for its 10th anniversary celebration, and trust us, this is one evening you won’t want to miss.

Held on the lush lawn of the Arts Center at 25 Jobs Lane, SummerFest is equal parts art party and community celebration, bringing together tastemakers, collectors, creatives, and supporters from across the East End (and beyond) to raise funds for SAC’s year-round mission of building community through the arts.

This year’s milestone event will honor Christine Mack with the Champion of the Arts Award, recognizing her incredible work as a collector and founder of both the Mack Art Foundation and Greenpoint Studios, a residency program that supports emerging artists outside of NYC. Known for her diverse and forward-thinking collection—which includes ceramics, textiles, bronze sculptures, and more—Christine is a longtime SAC supporter and a true force in the art world.

The evening kicks off with a cocktail hour featuring bites from some of your favorite Hamptons eateries, followed by a stunning seated dinner catered by Acquolina, and then—it’s time to dance under the stars with music by DJ Cyril.

And there’s even more art to admire: SummerFest coincides with SAC’s powerful new exhibition, “Beyond the Present: Collecting for the Future,” curated by Natasha Schlesinger and SAC’s Executive Director Christina Mossaides Strassfield. Inspired by Christine Mack’s personal collection, the show is on view July 26 through September 27, and reflects her mission to support and uplift young artists with vision.

Co-chairs for this year’s SummerFest include Jamee and Peter Gregory, Aima and Agha Khan, Simone and David Levinson, and Phyllis and William Mack, with a star-studded host committee packed with Hamptons names you’ll recognize—from Audrey and Martin Gruss to Kara Ross and Fern Mallis.

Beyond the glitz, SummerFest raises essential funds to help SAC produce four major exhibitions and over 150 cultural programs each year, from film screenings and live music to children’s events, lectures, and wellness experiences—welcoming more than 50,000 visitors annually and helping keep Southampton’s cultural heart beating strong.

🎟 Tickets and Tables:
Tables are available at $25,000 and $12,500; individual tickets range from $1,250 to $5,000.
To reserve your spot, contact Diana Torres at 631-283-0967 EXT. 12 or email events@southamptoncenter.org.
You can also purchase tickets online at southamptonartscenter.org/summerfest

So whether you’re a devoted art lover, a local supporter, or just looking for the perfect reason to dress up and dance, it’s time to get excited. SummerFest 2025 is going to be one for the books.

—By Declyn Keiser