Photo Flash: Sculptor John Rist Jr. Brings 'Fabulous Fish' to Southampton Historical Museum Party

The Southampton Historical Museum, under the direction of Executive Director Tom Edmonds with the backup of a committed Board of Trustees and a passionate new group of supporters has become a bustling arts center and become a jewel on the Hamptons cultural landscape. This weekend the Museum hosted its annual Late Summer Cocktail Party on the sprawling lawns of the landmark Rogers Mansion on Meeting House Lane in Southampton. Scroll down for photos from the party!

Generously sponsored by longtime supporters Peter Hallock and Marge Sullivan who greeted every guest as they approached the walks, the twilight cocktail party drew several hundred guests that included Summer Colony folks, as well as, the scions of families who have resided here for 12 generations. Guests sipped cocktails and nibbled on savory treats form Schmidt's Market while discussing fall plans and destinations. Many took the opportunity to tour the magnificently restored former home of Captain Albert Rogers to view The Museum's current exhibition, "Fabulous Fish: Sculptures by John Rist, Jr.", a native son of Southampton and an owner of Herbert & Rist Liquor Store on Jobs Lane.

Rist's fascination with marine life predates his interest in portraying them in wood and paint by many years. He uses plywood, old beach fencing, acrylic paint, and assorted items of hardware and transforms them into spectacular rough hewn, bas-relief, poly-chrome sculptures of vivid marine life. John Rist's sculptural portraits are unique. His subjects never pose for him, but then they don't need to. He knows everything about them, their shapes, their colors, and even in some cases their taste on the tongue. Rist's subjects are fish, creatures of the sea in all their glorious variety. His show will be on view through November 2.

Enjoying the last rays of summer were Nancy Stone, Gary Lawrance, author of " Houses of the Hamptons" , society portraitist Zita Davisson, Gary and Katherine Andreassen, Laura and Bill Masterson, Lynda Packard, Ivy and Ken Dressler, Nina Beaty, curator Brenda Simmons, co-founder of the East End African American Museum, Southampton Councilman Chris Nuzzi, photographer Davis Gaffga withValerie Harte, Southampton Village Trustee Nancy McGann, Frank and Myra Weiser, PR guru Diana Kashan, Vincent and Jacqueline Scerbinski, Dave Granville, Susan Madonia, Ann Madonia, Jeff Pfeifle, Ann Madonia, artist John Rist, Jr. and his wife Margaret andTom and Maribeth Edmonds.

The Southampton Historical Museum is located at 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, New York, 11968. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday: 11AM to 4PM Closed Sunday & Monday. For more information, call 631.283.2494 or email info@southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org.