Montauk’s art scene has been dealt another unwelcome dose of drama, and this time there was no speeding SUV involved. The annual August Art Show on the Green was targeted by thieves last week, with paintings and photographs stolen from artists’ tents over two consecutive nights.
According to police and event organizers, at least six artists had more than a dozen pieces taken from their booths during the 30th annual event, which featured 72 vendors showcasing paintings, photography, sculpture and other works. Some of the stolen pieces were valued at hundreds of dollars, while others were worth thousands.
The thefts reportedly occurred between Thursday evening and early Saturday, with multiple vendors discovering their work missing when they returned to their tents. And these weren’t exactly pocket-sized souvenirs. Organizers said some of the stolen works measured as large as four-by-four feet.
Police are investigating five active larceny cases and are working with the show’s hired security team and organizers. The Montauk Artists Association said the thefts appeared particularly targeted, with thieves selecting specific paintings and photographs rather than grabbing whatever happened to be within reach.
For the artists, the damage goes well beyond a price tag. Photographers can reproduce stolen prints, although replacing frames and materials still comes at a cost. For painters, however, a stolen original is often irreplaceable — the result of countless hours of work that simply cannot be recreated.
The incident is especially frustrating because the Montauk Art Show was already recovering from last year’s bizarre disaster, when a driver crashed through the event’s barricades, damaging six vendor tents and artwork estimated at more than $100,000.
Montauk may be known for sunsets, beaches and summer excess, but apparently the art show has been getting more excitement than anyone ordered. Now, artists are hoping police can turn this year’s unwanted exhibition into a crime-solving success story.
