Inside Southampton Arts Center’s Record-Breaking SummerFest Gala
- East End Taste
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Southampton Arts Center marked a defining moment in its history on Saturday, August 22, as more than 400 guests gathered for the annual SummerFest Gala. Set amid the newly transformed Paulson Family Gardens, the celebration raised a record-breaking $1 million in support of the organization’s exhibitions, educational initiatives, and year-round cultural programming.
The evening honored John Paulson and Alina de Almeida with the 2026 Champion of the Arts Award, recognizing their dedication to the arts and their transformational support of Southampton Arts Center.
A New Garden in the Heart of Southampton
The newly unveiled Paulson Family Gardens provided an enchanting setting for the evening. Created through a gift from The Paulson Family Foundation, the grounds have been reimagined as a peaceful green space in the center of Southampton Village.
The gardens’ winding landscape, abundant greenery, and thoughtfully designed gathering areas established an elegant backdrop for SummerFest while introducing a lasting cultural destination for residents and visitors.
During the evening’s program, Southampton Mayor William Manger Jr. presented Paulson and de Almeida with an official proclamation. The couple later received the Champion of the Arts Award from Simone Levinson, a founder and chairperson of Southampton Arts Center."
Paulson and de Almeida’s vision for the gardens was inspired by the idea of creating an oasis along Jobs Lane, a place where visitors could step away from the pace of the village and experience art, nature, and community in one setting.
Cocktails, Local Flavors, and Live Entertainment
SummerFest began with the spirited sounds of Escola de Samba BOOM, immediately setting a celebratory tone for the night.
During the cocktail reception, guests sampled dishes from several East End restaurants and hospitality partners, including Clamman, Dopo Argento, Hamptons Gifts & Events, Saaz, Shippy’s, and The Party Perfectionist.
Cocktails and pours from LALO, Aphrodise, Amante, and The Macklowe Whiskey complemented the passed plates. The reception offered guests an opportunity to move throughout the grounds, reconnect with friends, and experience the energy of one of Southampton’s signature summer benefits.
Guests were also invited inside to explore The Photography Collection of Judy Glickman Lauder, on view at Southampton Arts Center through September 27.
Dinner Beneath the Garden Lights
Following the reception, guests gathered in the Paulson Family Gardens for an open-air dinner by Acquolina Catering.
Floral arrangements designed by Arthur Golabek brought color and texture to the tables, while strands of fairy lights illuminated the garden overhead. Music by Olivier Meiji carried the evening from dinner into the gala program, creating an atmosphere that felt both sophisticated and warmly celebratory.
Among the supporters in attendance were Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Jane Holzer, Fern Mallis, Kara Ross, Pepe Fanjul, Katharina Otto-Bernstein, Julie and Billy Macklowe, Cristina and Chris Cuomo, and Southampton Mayor William Manger Jr.
Celebrating the Power of Community Through Art
Beyond its beautiful setting, SummerFest highlighted Southampton Arts Center’s growing role as a year-round cultural anchor for the East End.
During the program, Levinson reflected on the collaborative spirit that has shaped the organization over the past 14 years. She also recognized several recent and upcoming initiatives, including film screenings, literary conversations, sculpture exhibitions, wellness programming, and arts education.
One particularly meaningful achievement was the launch of the First Light exhibition and Arts Education program in partnership with Dr. Fatima Morrell, Superintendent of Southampton Public Schools. The initiative reached approximately 1,200 students throughout the district earlier this year, reinforcing SAC’s commitment to making the arts accessible to the next generation.
A Record-Breaking Night for Southampton Arts Center
The $1 million raised during the 2026 Southampton Arts Center SummerFest Gala will help sustain four major exhibitions and approximately 150 programs presented annually.
Each year, more than 50,000 visitors engage with SAC through film, music, dance, theater, lectures, children’s events, wellness experiences, and hands-on workshops. These programs support the center’s broader mission of building community through the arts while contributing to the cultural and economic vitality of Southampton Village.
Sponsors of this year’s gala included Aphrodise, Balmain Paris, Bloomberg Philanthropies, BuddhaBerry, GRAFF, LALO, Palmer, Peter Thomas Roth, Purist, and The Macklowe Whiskey.
With its record-setting fundraising achievement and the debut of the Paulson Family Gardens, SummerFest 2026 represented far more than a highlight of the Hamptons social calendar. It celebrated the people, partnerships, and shared generosity that continue to make Southampton Arts Center an essential part of the East End’s cultural landscape.
