Located in a former ship chandlery on Madison Street, Shooster Arts & Literature has established itself as a distinctive addition to the Sag Harbor gallery scene. Founded by Lauren Shooster, a former art director, the space serves as a multidisciplinary showcase where fine art, antiques, and rare books are presented in a unified environment. The concept challenges the traditional “white box” gallery model by blending disparate categories of collectibles into a single, cohesive experience.
The gallery’s inventory is drawn from Shooster’s personal collection of over 300 works, which rotate through the bright Madison Street storefront. The selection is defined by an intentional opposition of influences, spanning various centuries and design schools. Everything on view is for sale, ranging from high-profile pieces like Picasso to deeply personal artifacts, such as trial drawings created by Shooster’s father on the back of legal pads during his career as a civil rights lawyer.
A core focus of the gallery is the celebration of “outsider” or unintended art. This includes work from figures like Rose deSmith Greenman, who produced thousands of drawings later in life, and street photographer Vivian Maier. By highlighting artists whose work was not originally intended for public consumption, Shooster Arts & Literature offers a perspective on art as a vital, personal necessity rather than just a commercial product.
The physical gallery is supported by a robust digital presence. The shop’s website provides the price and provenance for the full collection, alongside approximately 300 commissioned essays from writers, artists, and curators. these pieces provide deep context for the individual artists and designers featured, bridging the gap between a retail storefront and a curated museum experience.
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