The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum is hosting its final exhibit of the season through Oct. 26, spotlighting artists from Sag Harbor and surrounding communities.
Now in its third year, the 725 Art Show—named for the 725 telephone exchange long associated with Sag Harbor—is free and open to the public during museum hours, Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The museum, located at 200 Main St. in Sag Harbor, admits its last guests at 4 p.m. daily.
Michael A. Butler, a local artist who specializes in miniatures, is curating the show.
“725 seems to be like a dinosaur almost but refers basically to artists that live within the 725 exchange area,” he said.
The idea for the exhibit originated from the 725 Show at Goat Alley Gallery, which was run for many years by Bob and Elinor McDade at the corner of Henry and Division streets in Sag Harbor.
“It was an annual exhibit of theirs for decades, and they both passed away quite some years ago. When I was employed at the Whaling Museum, (then Board President) Barbara Lobosco said, ‘Why don’t we think about doing the 725 Show?’ and I said, 'Sure.' It’s been popular ever since,” Butler said.
The show debuted at the museum in 2018 but took a hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, approximately 43 artists are exhibiting their work, all of which is also available for sale.
“The only reason it’s not more,” said Butler, “is because the Whaling Museum itself doesn’t have enough wall space to exhibit more.”
The show includes landscapes, abstracts and sculptures. While there is no set theme, Butler observed, “People tended to do more realism this year.”
He noted that the timing of the exhibit—after the peak of summer tourism—is deliberate.
“We chose this after-the-season timeframe because there’s usually so much competing during the summer. (At this time of year) the hubbub dies down, and people are looking for something to do.”
Although the art show is free, there is an admission charge for visitors who also wish to tour the museum. Exhibits include scrimshaw, nautical maps, a gift shop and a video depicting the life of a whaler. Built around 1845 for whaling investor Benjamin Huntting II, the building features architectural elements inspired by marine life.
The property changed hands several times before becoming the summer home in 1908 of a well-known philanthropist.
“It became the summer home of Mrs. Russell Sage, a millionairess whose husband was in big oil,” Butler said. “According to folklore, she didn’t like Sag Harbor. She thought it was too rough and tumble.”
Despite her personal views, Sage made significant cultural contributions to the area, including support for the local library and high school.
Recognized as a certified National Treasure, the museum features ornate Corinthian columns and was designed by prominent American architect Minard LaFever. A major renovation restored the building, which today reflects both the region’s whaling history and contemporary cultural life.
For more information, visit https://www.sagharborwhalingmuseum.org.