An East Hampton Garden Q & A with Joi Perle

Joi Perele shares inspiration and information on the LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, NY.

Q: What is your favorite time of year to visit the gardens?

Joi: I personally enjoy LongHouse and any garden, during all four seasons. The landscape is as diverse in winter as it is in spring, summer or fall just in a different way with various tree bark, evergreens and snow cover providing a brand new look in the gardens. Of course, spring and summer are fabulous times to visit! The gardens are lush and filled with a variety of color, texture, and scents. The new sculpture has been installed and some pieces from our permanent collection are moved to new areas providing new visual experiences that are exciting and provide a delightful surprise to returning visitors.

Q: Do you have any tips for trying to get the most of your gardens and diverse landscape in a single visit, including handicapped accessibility?

Joi: LongHouse, with the exception of a few garden areas, is accessible for those with limited mobility issues, and we continually review how we can make it easier for people to get the most out of the gardens. Our large restrooms are handicapped-equipped and are located near the parking area. Most of the garden paths (including those that are grass, gravel, or wood chip) can be navigated by those with walkers or wheelchairs. For guests for whom walking is a challenge, nearly every garden area has a bench or seating area for rest and reflection. A golf cart tour can be arranged for those with extremely limited mobility with 3 days’ notice (on Open Days only, and subject to golf cart availability).

Q: Any garden/sculpture highlights that are new for the 2019 season?

Joi: We have wonderful new works for the 2019 season of Art in the Gardens! Already installed and making a splash is Will Ryman’s “The LongHouse 6” a towering 25 ft tall red rose, with fallen petals scattered about its base. A large Wendell Castle bronze bench, “Grand Temptation” is not only an incredible design feat but a terrific place to stop and rest next to Black Mirror, a water feature in the garden. This year a beautiful exhibition of ceramic vessels by Young Jae Lee and a masterful curvilinear shelf by Joseph Walsh are on view. On June 22 we will premiere two additional new works: “Echo” a trio of site-specific sculptures by Stephen Talasnik will make their home in Black Mirror, and Lawrence Weiner’s “Out of Sight” will take up residence in our Squash Court.

Q: Any programs for 2019 you think will be of interest to our readers?

Joi: Our annual exhibition, Art in the Gardens, is the cornerstone of LongHouse events and programs. We are open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1-5pm through July 3. From July 3 through September 7, we are open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1-5pm. September 11 through October 5, we are open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 1-5pm and from October 12 through November 30 we are open Saturdays, 11am-3pm. Winter time visitors can call to make an appointment by calling the office at (631) 329-3568. LongHouse is always closed on Sundays.

Some highlights of the season include;

-Family Day, May 11; 10am-5pm, an admission-free event with family-friendly activities throughout the day. It’s perfect for multigenerational families.

-National Public Gardens Day, May 17; 10am-5pm. Part of the nationwide celebration of public gardens, this event also offers free admission and a garden tour with our horticulturist Holger Winenga at 3 pm.

-Salon on the Lawn; May 25; 5-7pm. A kickoff to the summer season, this event features cocktails, live music, and light bites.

-Site Specific – New Installations: June 22; 3-5pm. The new works by Stephen Talasnik and Lawrence Weiner will debut with an opening reception and artist talk.

-Opera al Fresco, August 2; 6 pm. An evening of opera selections set in the LongHouse garden.

You can find out more about the events mentioned above on their website, longhouse.org.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Home Care in Hamptons, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.