The Parrish Art Museum’s Midsummer Party took place for the first time at its new home in Water Mill on Saturday, July 13. A highlight of the summer season, the Midsummer Party is a festive social gathering of artists, socialites, philanthropists, art collectors, entertainers, gallerists, and business leaders. Funds raised by the event support the Museum’s exhibitions, publications, and programs.

The décor for this year’s party was furnished by Ron Wendt Design. Nearly 650 guests enjoyed a cocktail reception starting at 6:30 pm in the Museum galleries, followed by a premier dining experience on the museum’s charcoal grey open air Mildred C. Brinn Terrace. The summer breeze drifted down 34 foot long tomato red tables that Ron [below] designed, featuring centerpieces inspired by the museum’s clean lineal architecture, while incorporating the meadow aesthetic of its surrounding 14 acres.

Ron shares with KDHamptons, “I especially wanted to make this inaugural gala all about celebrating the museum and its new home. On my first visit, I arrived looking for those first impression inspirations, and certainly I found many in the commanding architecture. With its simple and honest materials, shapes and forms, I was immediately taken by the long powerful “V” shape of the trussing running throughout the spine of the museum. Enter the idea of long tables featuring long brushed aluminum troughs with “X” patterned supports which echo the ceiling structure.

An additional 300 guests joined the group for dessert and dancing at the After Ten party, where guests boogied in the museum’s Lichtenstein Theater, relaxed in the lounge areas around the Museum, and visited the exhibitions in the galleries until 1 am.

Ron notes, “I loved the neutrality and the deep shade of the 30ft wide porch and thought of a summer party and the season’s most famous fruit….the tomato! Hence the ‘tail light red’ shantung tablecloths we are using to brighten and soften the outdoor space. [ahem, also a reference to the traffic on Route 27!].”

*For more information please go to: http://parrishart.org/

**All photos in this feature by Patrick McMullan