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New York Academy of Art Hosts Annual Drawing Party on Shelter Island

Naomi Watts, Donna Karan, and Candace Bushnell were among the guests who gathered at The Pridwin Hotel for the special event

By Galerie editors
Sketch of a nude figure on an easel in an outdoor setting with people in the background.
New York Academy of Art Drawing Party at The Pridwin. Photo: BFA

Artists have long been in enthralled by the magical light in the Hamptons. Last Thursday was no exception, as the New York Academy of Art (NYAA) hosted its annual Drawing Party at The Pridwin Hotel on Shelter Island. Artists and supporters of the arts gathered on the lawn to take up their easels and work from the live models. NYAA President David Kratz and NYAA Board Chair Eileen Guggenheim were on hand encouraging partygoers to try their hand at portraits.

Hosted by Curtis Bashaw and Will Riccio, Alissa Friedman and Glenn Petry, Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy, and Joey Wölffer and Max Rohn and sponsored by The Pridwin Hotel, Galerie magazine, and Wölffer Estate Vineyard, the event benefits the TriBeCa art school. The final portraits reflected a range of artistic styles, color choices, and skill levels—and were certainly the topic of lively conversation—but perhaps nothing was quite as captivating as the sun set over the water casting a rosy glow on guests including Galerie’s own Lisa Fayne Cohen and her husband James, as well as Naomi Watts, Donna Karan, Candace Bushnell, Joseph Altuzarra, and more.

See more photos below.

Person in a green suit with pink hearts stands outdoors near a road and benches, smiling with trees and a lake in the background.
Naomi Watts. Photo: BFA
Group of seven people smiling and standing together outdoors, dressed in casual and colorful outfits.
From left: Curtis Bashaw, Candace Bushnell, David Kratz, Donna Karan, Nicole Miller, Kim Taipale, Rebecca Moses Photo: BFA
Person with sunglasses smiling while holding abstract artwork under string lights at an outdoor event.
Donna Karan. Photo: BFA
Person in colorful patterned dress stands outdoors in front of a building with large windows and greenery.
Galerie founder and editorial director, Lisa Fayne Cohen. Photo: BFA
Sketch of a nude figure on an easel in an outdoor setting with people in the background.
New York Academy of Art Drawing Party at The Pridwin. Photo: BFA
Artist sketching a figure outdoors with people observing in the background, surrounded by nature and trees.
Alvise Orsini. Photo: BFA
Four women in colorful summer outfits and sunglasses smiling at an outdoor event, with a building and umbrella in the background.
From left: Donna Karan, Joey Wolffer, Naomi Watts Photo: BFA
A group of nine people smiling and standing in front of a white house with green-trimmed windows.
From left: Eileen Guggenheim, Tabitha Whitley, Jennifer Schipf, Curtis Bashaw, and Johnathan Tibett. Photo: BFA
Person pouring wine into a glass at a table with bottles and a lit candle nearby.
Wine provided by Wölffer Estate Vineyard. Photo: BFA
Easel on grass displaying a poster for the Summer Drawing Party near a waterfront setup with chairs and drawing boards.
New York Academy of Art hosts its annual Drawing Party at The Pridwin Hotel. Photo: BFA
Chilled decorative wine bottles in a silver bowl beside Galerie magazines on a white table with candles.
Wine provided by Wölffer Estate Vineyard. Photo: BFA
Beachfront hotel with green umbrellas, white chairs, and guests gathering on the terrace at dusk.
The Pridwin on Shelter Island. Photo: BFA