Local Luminaries Join The Board Of Directors Committee At The Parrish Art Museum

Trendsetting tycoon Joey Wölffer and outstanding attorney Steven J. Horowitz are painting a new picture at the prized Parrish Art Museum. We tapped the local luminaries to hear what they’ll bring to the Board of Directors Committee.

Attorney Steven J. Horowitz

Welcome to the Parrish family! What do you wish to bring to as a member of the board of directors?

JW: As one of the first local business owners to be on the board, I look forward to bringing the community into the museum. I don’t think everyone knows the museum’s outstanding programs and activities. Marketing is my specialty, so that is where I will bring the most expertise.

SH: I have dedicated my career to spotting and solving issues as an attorney. I have spent the last 15 years on the boards of various not-for-profit educational institutions, where I have developed a deep understanding of the educational process and its disparate impact. I want to draw upon my experience to find solutions to the problems impeding access to the arts in various pockets of our community.

Entrepreneur Joey Wölffer

What sparked your interest in art?

JW: I am an art lover but not an expert, so I am incredibly excited to learn more about this world. I have many friends who are artists, curators, gallery owners and advisers, and I will also look to them to learn and connect with the museum!

SH: It would have to be a conversation with an educator who observed parents shifting students away from studying the humanities and the arts due to commonly held misconceptions that devalue the nexus between the study of art and a promising career. The conversation saddened me because the arts present one with a way of thinking and a form of expression that generates and communicates opinions differently, fostering constructive dialogue where words fail.

What does an ideal day look like in the Hamptons?

JW: While I love the energy, the people and the weather in summer, I am a big lover of the quiet times in the Hamptons. I love to enjoy the incredible access to nature, the arts, great food and shopping the Hamptons offer. Our beaches are some of the best in the world, but summer is so crazy that I rarely enjoy this beautiful place. Favorite activities include riding, a beach walk, a trip to the Parrish and a beach picnic on Long Beach with our kids.

SH: Being surrounded by the natural beauty of the East End means that an ideal Hamptons day involves enjoying the idyllic setting with my wife, Amy, and our three children. Depending on the season, it could be an evening stroll on the beach, seal watching or a brisk walk through a wildlife reserve.

What do you see for the future of the Parrish?

JW: I see another 125 years, at least! I see more of their incredible work but with further inclusion and celebration of the East End’s people, artists and community. They have done a great job, and I look forward to working with the already brilliant board and Parrish team.

SH: The Parrish has long been the cultural center for artistic expression on the East End, and I am confident its legacy will continue. I am confident in the leadership’s understanding that the East End comprises a diverse socioeconomic demographic. Leadership’s firm commitment to becoming a model for bringing art to those with limited access ensures the museum’s prominence in the foreseeable future. 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, parrishart.org