Silas Marder was raised by artists in the Springs in East Hampton. This renowned location, a cultural sanctuary for such visionaries as Jackson Pollock and John Steinbeck, provided an artistic foundation for the young Marder. “I grew up with the arts in my backyard. My parents were art majors and all of their friends were artists. Hearing their stories and the mythology of this place was inspiring. If I can orchestrate a memorable artistic experience like so many of the ones I’d seen as a kid, and give back to this community, then there’s nothing really more satisfying.”

With this aesthetic upbringing, combined with a mixed media degree in film and design from Bennington College, Marder has cultivated an artistic vision that is both bold and innovative. And for the past eight years, he’s hosted some of the most exciting and exploratory exhibits on Long Island, pooling international artists with local and emerging artists, all showcased within a giant barn situated behind his parents’ esteemed nursery and garden center, Marders, in Bridgehampton. “You can’t be afraid to be different. That’s what artists have always done best. I think nowadays, in the digital age, people are a little afraid to get out there and get messy. But it’s vital for artists to explore, to try new things. And I hope this space can help to foster and cultivate some new ideas, especially amongst the young people.”

The unconventional and inviting appeal of Silas Marder Gallery has accomplished just that, as it’s now considered a veritable cultural oasis on the East End. “When I first started this gallery I had the simple intention of showing my brother Mica’s work because I believed in it. And people seemed to like the space, the mood, the ambience. I suppose it wasn’t stuffy like some other galleries. It was accessible like the warehouses in Chelsea. And so one show led to another, which led to some more and now we’re booking shows three years in advance. And it can be exhausting,” he laughs, “but I’ll rest one day soon.”

Marder hasn’t paused for a moment, and he continues to push the vanguard of the Long Island art scene by contributing relevant and challenging art exhibits year-round. Anyone who visited the East End in the past few summers has probably tuned in to one of his popular community driven ventures, including an outdoor Friday night film series located on the oversized lawn alongside the gallery. “Bring a blanket, a beach chair, your family, your dog, whatever, and sit under the stars for an evening of classic film. We’ve got a great program booked this summer.”

Silas Marder Gallery
120 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton
(631) 702-2306
silasmarder.com

Exhibition:
Through July 29
Past and Present

Outdoor Film Series:
Every Friday, Thru August 31
All Films are free and start at dark (not before 9pm).

Schedule
July 6: Marathon Man?
July 13: Gaslight
July 20: Bringing Up Baby
July 27: The Wizard of Oz
August 3: To Kill a Mockingbird
August 10: The Thin Man
August 17: The Shining
August 24: King of Hearts
August 31: The Manchurian Candidate