Connections Show (2013)

Sara De Luca, Director of ILLE Arts
Juror for Connections, 2013
Sara de Luca was born in Rome and came to the United States 25 years ago. She worked as a stylist in the fashion industry for many years, and also found time to raise a family here. Her two daughters are both aspiring artists. Sara is a full time resident of Springs.
In a high-ceilinged enclave flooded with Atlantic light, Sara De Luca is creating a new cultural center in a place where artists and writers have lived alongside bay men and clam diggers for over a century. Ille Arts opened its doors on Main Street in Amagansett in March 2012 with a group show, ‘The Family Show’, that showcased a generous mix of work by artists both celebrated and unknown.
Sara De Luca’s lifelong ‘passion for the visual’, coupled with her extensive connections to the New York art scene, will ensure a steady flow of boldface names on the gallery walls, as well as emerging artists. “We’re hoping to promote an international flavor on Main Street, from both inside and outside the East End community,” says De Luca. Following the first group show Ille Arts featured works by internationally renowned artists such as Mary Heilmann and Marilyn Minter in shows curated by herself and other artists. Among more cutting-edge new talent De Luca has curated works by Liz Markus, Wendy White and Jose Lerma.
“I’m not channeling any specific area of art, we have no restrictions, whatever strikes me, and moves me, is the kind of work I plan to exhibit.” De Luca envisions Ille as a center for various artistic practices, dance performance and poetry readings as well as the ongoing exhibitions.