Summer in the Hamptons is a season of contrasts—sun-drenched beaches by day, and evenings filled with sculpture gardens, museum strolls, and thought-provoking exhibitions. The East End continues to offer a unique blend of natural beauty and creative energy, drawing artists and audiences alike.

At the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, two major exhibitions anchor the season. Born of Fire marks Shirin Neshat’s first museum exhibition in the New York area in over 20 years. The show offers a non-linear survey of Neshat’s artistic development, presenting focused installations of four significant bodies of work.

In a nearby gallery, Sean Scully’s The Albee Barn, Montauk features over 70 works spanning 1981 to 2024, telling the story of Scully’s extraordinary life and how a single month spent in Montauk in the summer of 1982 became a pivotal moment in his career. For a moment of pause, wander the surrounding meadows and grab a coffee at the museum café, where you’ll also find a striking mural by local artist Almond Zigmund.

Over in East Hampton, Guild Hall presents two solo exhibitions. Joel Mesler’s Miles of Smiles transforms the space into a version of his studio and gallery, playfully layering text, pattern, and memory. The exhibition includes works by a select group of his contemporaries, providing a gathering and meeting place where the artist will host office hours.

Simultaneously, Mary Heilmann’s Water Way brings together over 40 works, including works on paper, ceramics, and paintings spanning from the 1980s through the present. The exhibition focuses on the recurring theme of water throughout her practice.

In Southampton, the Peter Marino Art Foundation presents an exhibition of 90 photography works by German artist Wolfgang Tillmans from The Peter Marino Collection. Stay tuned for more information to be revealed soon! 

Further west in Sag Harbor, The Church hosts The Ark, a group exhibition curated by Eric Fischl. Composed solely of animal sculptures by over 40 international artists of the last century, the exhibition refers directly to the myth of the Deluge, marking a new beginning and rebirth. Before or after your visit, take a short walk to Carissa’s bakery for a coffee and pastry—or stay for lunch if the day gets away from you.

Rounding out the list is LongHouse Reserve, a 16-acre garden in East Hampton where art and nature exist in harmony. This year, look for works by Toshiko Takaezu and Isamu Noguchi, part of Full Circle: Toshiko Takaezu and Friends, and Monica Banks’ Bird Happenings, miniature porcelain vignettes nestled in various places throughout LongHouse Reserve for the birds (and visitors) to experience and enjoy.

If you’ve yet to explore local treasures like the Pollock-Krasner House or The Madoo Conservancy, consider this your cue. With sunshine on your side and more than enough to see, summer in the Hamptons is best experienced at your own pace—one exhibition (or sculpture garden) at a time.