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Mills Pond Gallery kicks off summer with ‘The Language of Flowers’

by Press Release - June 27, 2025

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Whether gifted, grown in a garden, or admired in nature, flowers delight us with their natural beauty. In a floral tribute, the Smithtown Township Arts Council will present The Language of Flowers, a juried exhibit at Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from June 28 to July 25.

The prospectus called for artists to “unleash their creativity and share their artistic interpretations of flowers … art that captures the spirit of blossoms or conveys personal emotions or narratives, or simply captures the captivating beauty of flowers.” The response was overwhelming.

“Using oil, acrylic, alcohol ink, colored pencil, dye-sublimation photographic print, fused glass, gouache, graphite, ink, mixed media, oil, pastel, pen & ink, photography, pyrography and watercolor, 84 artists have found astonishing ways to portray the delicacy of flowers whether represented in realism, impressionism or abstraction,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

“No matter the style, we are sure gallery visitors will enjoy this bouquet of original works,” she added.

Exhibiting artists include Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Ron Becker, Mireille Belajonas, Kusuma Bheemineni, Matt Bodkin, Hayley Brennan, Joyce Bressler, Kevin Casey, Carol Ceraso, Tobi Cohen, Bernice Corbin, Jane Corrarino, Denise Cousins, JoAnn Dumas, Paul Edelson, Ellen Ferrigno, Elizabeth Fusco, Arlene Gernon, Maureen Ginipro, Theresa Graff, Alexandra Guma, Linda Hartman, Scott Hartman, Karen Jakubowski, Sally Anne Keller, James Kelson, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Angelica Kempa, Samantha Kenny, Megan Kenny, Lynn Kinsella, Julianna Kirk, Elizabeth Kisseleff, Lynn Larrison, Peter Leeds, Syndee Levy, Patricia Lind-Gonzalez, Patricia Luppino, Jackie Mallon, Diane Maniscalco, Adriena Masi, Liz Jorg Masi, Kathleen McArdle, Bonnie McLoughlin Stiegler, Frederic Mendelsohn, Avrel Menkes, Felecia Montfort, Gail Neuman, Loretta Oberheim, Josephine Parlagreco, Sharon Pearsall, Eva Pere, Sean Pollock, Lauren Prochera, Bernice Rausch, Catherine Rezin, Sandra Riddle, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Robert Roehrig, Jessica Rybak, Lori Scarlatos, Lisa Scrima-Castelli, Hillary Serota Needle, Stephen Shannon, Mike Stanko, Maddy Stare, Judy Stone, Betty Ann Tedeschi, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Susan Toplitz, Robert Tuska, Diane Van Velsor, Joseph Weinreb, Patty Yantz, Steven Zaluski, Theodora Zavala and Tianzhou Zhao.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, June 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and enjoy the beautiful art.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information or directions, call 631-862-6575, or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

‘All of Me with All of You: LGBTQ+ Art Out of the Collection’ opens at the Heckscher Museum

by Press Release - June 14, 2025

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0-14 — PaJaMa (Paul Cadmus, Jared French, Margaret French) Jared French, Fire Island 1949 Vintage gelatin silver print Museum Purchase

For the first time, The Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington is exploring its collection through the lens of LGBTQ+ identities and histories. Spanning more than 150 years, the Museum-wide exhibition All of Me with All of You: LGBTQ+ Art Out of the Collection includes significant paintings, sculptures, and works on paper acquired over decades for the Museum collection. The exhibit opened on June 7 and runs through Sept. 14.

Artists who lived and worked on Long Island will anchor All of Me with All of You. Among the 86 works on view are six photographs taken on Fire Island by the collective PaJaMa (Paul Cadmus, Jared French, and Margaret French) expressing the artistic and personal freedoms that LGBTQ+ communities nurtured on Long Island in the first half of the twentieth century. Photographs by Huntington artist Joanne Mulberg capture the spirit of Fire Island in the 1970s and 1980s.

“The artworks that I selected for this exhibition reveal profound, often overlooked connections between the Museum, its surrounding landscape and the queer communities that shaped it. By recognizing these works as queer—and honoring their historical and cultural significance —the Museum offers pivotal support and inspiration, not only to artists but to LGBTQ+ communities,” said Guest Curator Victoria Munro, Artist, and Executive Director of the Alice Austen House.

“This is an expansive, groundbreaking exhibition developed by guest curator Victoria Munro, with valuable input from an intergenerational advisory group, teen community members, and local non-profit partners,” noted Heather Arnet, Executive Director and CEO.

“By amplifying the stories of artists such as Marsden Hartley, Emma Stebbins, and Emilio Sanchez, long represented in the collection, and placing their art in dialogue with more recent acquisitions by the PaJaMa collective, Amy Adler, Laylah Ali, vanessa german, and Mickalene Thomas, the exhibition highlights the depth of the permanent collection and the rich history of LGBTQ+ art history on Long Island. We hope visitors will be excited to engage with one another in dialogues inspired by the works, fostering a broader understanding of our past and deepening connections to the present,” said Arnet.

All of Me with All of You —along with all the exhibitions and programs planned in 2025—”contribute to presenting a fuller, more accurate story of American Art,” said Chief Curator, Karli Wurzelbacher, Ph.D.

The exhibition title All of Me With All of You reflects a spirit of collective strength and acknowledges the networks and spaces where queer artists create, uplift, and sustain one another, said Munro. In addition to her leadership at The Alice Austin House, she is Board President of the Museums Council of New York City. She consults and speaks on LGBTQ+ curriculum development, and LGBTQ+ interpretation in public and private institutions.

Exhibition Highlights:

The delicate yet profound imagery found in the private trove of photographs by the PaJaMa collective captures an era of queer artistic collaboration and self-exploration These images offer a rare glimpse into the private lives and intimate bonds of figures who shaped 20th-century art and culture, serving as a visual archive of a community that often thrived in the margins.

At the other end of the spectrum, Emma Stebbins’ neoclassical marble sculpture of her partner Charlotte Cushman embodies a different yet equally powerful artistic statement. As a celebrated 19th-century actress known for her gender-fluid performances and her defiant embrace of a life outside traditional norms, Cushman’s presence in the collection serves as a testament to both personal and artistic courage. Stebbins’s sculptural tribute to her reinforces the museum’s recognition of important historic figures who challenged societal conventions and left an indelible mark on art history.

Betty Parsons, widely recognized as a pioneering art dealer and champion of Abstract Expressionism, appears in the collection not just as a tastemaker but as an artist in her own right. Her handcrafted wooden tugboat, reminiscent of a child’s toy, exudes a charming, playful innocence, contrasting with the depth and expansiveness suggested by her abstract oil painting Gulf of Mexico.

Mickalene Thomas draws inspiration from the interiors of her childhood and the women who played formative roles in her life. Through her signature use of texture, pattern, and bold cold, she creates rich, layered spaces that evoke warmth, nostalgia, and strength. Her work is both a personal homage and a broader celebration of Black womanhood, family, and the idea of home as a space of identity and empowerment.

The Heckscher Museum of Art is located at 2 Prime Avenue in Huntington. For more information, call 631-380-3230 or visit www.heckscher.org.

This project is made possible with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. With this generous support, the Museum will engage youth and intergenerational community members in a robust year of exhibitions and public programming highlighting and celebrating works, histories, and legacies of LGBTQ+ artists in their permanent collection.

Long Island Museum celebrates Art Nouveau with ‘The Triumph of Nature’

by Tara Mae - June 12, 2025

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By Tara Mae

On view from June 12 to September 21 at the Long Island Museum (LIM) in Stony Brook, The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau from the Chrysler Museum of Art explores the sense and sensation of an art form that lauds the intricate vibrancy and nuances of nature.

“The Triumph of Nature celebrates the florid, languorous curves, natural motifs, and refined elegance of Art Nouveau furniture, glass, and other works that have entranced generations of collectors and museum-goers since the apex of this brief but intense movement around the turn of the twentieth century,” said LIM Co-Executive Director Joshua Ruff.

Large enough to span two of LIM’s galleries, this 120 piece exhibit is visiting from the Art Nouveau collection of the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, Virginia.

It includes glassworks, furniture, paintings, and sculptures from artisans and artists of the late 1800s and early 1900s, including Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany & Co., Gustav Klimt, Louis Majorelle, Alphonse Mucha, Emmanuel Lansyer, and Émile Gallé.

LIM’s showcase is just one stop on a 13 museum national tour.

“We heard about this traveling exhibition in 2022 and signed on as soon as we could, excited to share this incredible collection of objects with our audience. We are glad that we booked it when we did, it was fully scheduled almost immediately,” Ruff said. “It is traveling to art museums all around the country, including California, Texas, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, so we are pleased to be the only museum hosting it in New York.”

Both The Triumph of Nature and the Chrysler Museum have ties to Long Island. Tiffany lived on a 600-acre estate in Laurel Hollow, Laurelton Hall, an 84-room mansion of Art Nouveau design that blended Islamic and nature motifs. Walter P. Chrysler and his family, for whom the Chrysler Museum is named, had a summer home in Kings Point; it is now Wiley Hall at the US Merchant Marine Academy.

Walter P. Chrysler Junior grew up visiting the house and with his wife, Jean, established the Chrysler Museum’s extensive Art Nouveau holdings.

This is LIM’s first exhibit solely dedicated to the genre. A style generally inspired by natural imagery, defined by foliate forms and sinuous lines, its influence is found in many mediums. Popularized during the Belle Époque period, which started in France and swept Europe, Art Nouveau celebrates the whimsy, wit, and wonder of the movement, as well its ongoing impact on art.

“I think people are much more familiar with Art Deco, and this exhibition indicates the inheritance that Art Deco had from Art Nouveau. But I think that the curves and beautiful forms influenced much modern design, and you can see the continuing influence of Nouveau in contemporary graphic design, textile design, furniture, and fashion,” Ruff said.

Its narrative thread also weaves through two exhibits LIM will be installing later this season: Gatsby at 100, which looks at the centennial of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, and Giants and Gems, which examines scale in art and design.

“I think that there is a lot of synergy between these three exhibitions, and I’m looking forward to seeing it all through our visitors eyes and see what they take away and enjoy and learn from,” Ruff said.

Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is open Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for seniors, age 62 and older; $10 for students, ages 6-17 and college students with ID; $5 for persons with disabilities, personal care assistants are free. Admission for children under age six, active and retired military, and LIM members are also free.

For more information about The Triumph of Nature and other upcoming shows and events, visit www.longislandmuseum.org.

Lyla Petroske combines art and altruism in upcoming exhibition at Studio 268

by Press Release - June 2, 2025

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Lyla Petroske, a rising talent in the local art scene, is set to unveil her recent work at Studio 268, located at 268 Main Street in Setauket. Titled The Paintings of Lyla Petroske, the exhibition, opening Saturday, June 7th from 5 to 8 p.m., not only showcases Petroske’s artistic talent but also serves a philanthropic purpose: all proceeds from the show will be donated to Long Island Cares, Inc., The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank.

Utilizing a variety of mediums including pastel, oil paint, printmaking and mixed media, the Port Jefferson resident who attends The Stony Brook School draws inspiration from her fascination with the shapes and color that appear naturally in nature, as well as those of the human form.

Her featured piece, A Moment with a Stream, is a pastel rendering of a serene scene from the Adirondack Mountains. This work was previously spotlighted at the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook as part of their Emerging Artist Spotlight, as well as Plein Air Magazine for “Best Plein Air Pastel.”

A student of Mary Jane van Zeijts of Studio 268 for almost 10 years, Petroske has recently been accepted into the prestigious pre-college art intensive program at NYU, where she will study this July. Additionally, the artist is excited to bring her work to Gallery 90 in Center Moriches this August with nine of her peers.

The decision to donate the exhibition’s proceeds to Long Island Cares reflects Petroske’s concern about addressing food insecurity in her community. Long Island Cares, founded in 1980 by singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, is the region’s first food bank, distributing over 14 million pounds of food annually to nearly 400 partner agencies across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The organization also operates several food pantries and offers programs targeting the root causes of hunger.

Petroske has said that “my ability to fill my life with painting is the biggest blessing, one that I’m often consumed by. I needed to use this exhibit to step out of my bubble and spread love to my struggling neighbors. To be able to paint is a privilege, but to be able to eat is a rudimentary human right.”

In addition to the June 7th opening reception, the exhibition will be open to the public every Sunday of June from 2 to 4 p.m. Visitors will have the opportunity to view and purchase Petroske’s artwork, with the knowledge that their contributions will support Long Island families in need.

For more information, call 631-220-4529.

Gallery North’s Wet Paint Festival heads to historic Merritt Hawkins Homestead this year

by Tara Mae - May 29, 2025

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GalleryNorth.WetPaintFestival.2023.1 — Artist Angela Stratton at a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

By Tara Mae

The scent of paint permeates the promise of potential during Gallery North’s 21st annual Wet Paint Festival on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Approximately 50 artists working in diverse mediums — acrylics, oils, pastels, mixed media — will demonstrate the utterly unique experience of en plein air painting, the act of painting outdoors.

“It is a special event and loads of fun for everyone,” Gallery North Executive Director Ned Puchner said.

Artist Laura DiLeone at a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

Children’s art activities will be offered by Gallery North. Members of the Four Harbors Audubon Society will give guided nature walks. History walks will be led by members of the Three Village Dads Foundation on Saturday and Margo Arceri of Tri-Spy Tours on Sunday. Food from Level Up Kitchen will be available for purchase.

With WUSB 90.1 fm/107.3 fm radio, Gallery North will have live music by The Fox Hill Chamber Consortium playing classical and baroque music on Saturday and singer-songwriter Kane Daily performing rock music on Sunday.

“This is a celebration of our local artists and history of plain air painting — outdoor painting capturing beauty of a location — as well as art, history, and music,” Gallery North Director of Development Erin Smith said.

Held this year on the verdant properties of the historic 9-acre Merritt Hawkins Homestead (c. 1774) and adjacent Nassakeag Elementary School at 490 Pond Path in Setauket, the event invites artists to dare to paint plein air in a location resplendent with authentic ambiance and natural beauty.

Participants will set up in places of their choosing on the estate — all other activities will be held on the school grounds. Visitors will be able to observe them in action as they share an esteem of the environment.

“Each year, the gallery picks a new location, or rotates between locations — a spot artists may not find when looking for places to paint — a place with historical significance, a different vantage point and view, in order to increase community’s awareness of the area,” Gallery North curator Kate Schwarting said.

Settings are chosen for their aesthetic appeal and cultural significance. Selecting these sites cultivates a camaraderie among participants and observers while they engross themselves in local lush landscapes, perhaps for the first time. The Wet Paint Festival is a singular opportunity for audience and artists to enjoy an inspiring scene at the same time.

Artist Stuart Friedman paints at Frank Melville Memorial Park during a previous Wet Paint Festival. Photo courtesy of Gallery North

“We want to bring artists together, celebrate the art of plain air painting, and teach people what it is and how it is different from painting in studio. Art generally tends to be a solitary practice; the festival is a way for artists to get together and celebrate each other,” Schwarting said.

Participating artists also appreciate this distinctive approach and how it differs from their regular artistic practices as well as other festivals.

“I just love the adventure of it — the chance to paint outside and feel part of a community with other artists. There’s something really special about the energy of everyone out there together, each of us trying to find something interesting to paint while working through the challenges of our own pieces,” participant William Low said. With Steve Behler, another regional artist, he will be offering guided tours on plein air painting.

Plein air art incorporates a component of excitement unlike other forms. Artists are at the mercy of the outdoors’ whims. Rather than painting from pre-conceived concepts, they commit to encapsulating a part of their world as it exists and even changes around them.

“It is a race to produce the work before weather and elements change. Artists never know what final piece will be. It’s about looking and being mindful, a very meditative practice — [as an artist] you have to be all there, you cannot be overthinking things,” Schwarting said. “It is a great exercise to be immersed in nature, environment, and location.”

For artists and attendees alike, the festival is an occasion to engage all their senses as they celebrate not only their art, but how the process of creation is a means of connection and communication.

‘’The Wet Paint Festival is such a welcoming and inspiring event, not just for the artists, but for anyone who loves seeing creativity in action. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a festival that celebrates all kinds of expression, and I hope people leave feeling inspired to make something of their own,” participant Loretta Oberheim said.

Sponsored by the Village Art Collective, Bryant Funeral Home, Tasty Frosty, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning, the Wet Paint Festival goes on rain or shine. All works created at the event will be featured in an art exhibit at The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook from July 8 to July 13 with a reception on July 12.

Both the Wet Paint Festival and subsequent exhibit at the Reboli Center are free and open to the public.

For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

Artist Lynn Staiano to be featured at Apple Bank exhibition in Smithtown

by Press Release - May 23, 2025

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Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Smithtown artist Lynn Staiano will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from May 26 to July 25. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to a press release.

Lynn Staiano is a self-taught artist who discovered a passion for painting during the pandemic. “Inspired by my late mother, a talented artist who nurtured creativity in our home, I found comfort and purpose in art during a time of global uncertainty. Though I had never formally painted before, I began exploring acrylics, later transitioning to oils, with occasional work in pastel and watercolor mediums,” she said.

The artist is particularly drawn to abandoned or fractured houses, barns, bridges, charming old windows, intriguing doors, and elements of antiquity.

“I am moved to express well-lived environments; loved, forgotten, and vintage items. I enjoy painting plein air and in the studio, with a focus on landscapes and still life compositions,” she explained.

Staiano’s art has been exhibited in galleries across Long Island. “Committed to continually growing as an artist, I honor my mother’s dream through classes, practice, experimentation, and exploration.”

“STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities,” read the release.

Setauket Artists’ Spring Exhibition heads to Deepwells

by Heidi Sutton - May 15, 2025

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'Pond at Bayard Cutting Arboretum' by Ross Barbera will be on view through June 15.

By Heidi Sutton

As flowers and trees bloom across Long Island and the weather warms, the beauty of the season heads inside for the Setauket Artists’ Spring Exhibition at Deepwells Mansion in St. James.

Featuring over 100 works of art from 34 artists displayed on the first and second floors of the mansion, the stunning exhibit will open this weekend with an artist reception on Sunday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

“It will be a beautiful show painted by talented artists who are attuned to the beauty of the local area,” said Paula Pelletier, publicist for the Setauket Artists and a member for over15 years.

Participating artists include Ross Barbera, Shain Bard, Kyle Blumenthal, Sheila Breck, Joyce Bressler, Renee Caine, Al Candia, Gail Chase, Anthony Davis, Julie Doczi, William Dodge, Paul Edelson, Margaret Governale, Melissa Imossi, Flo Kemp, Karen Kemp, Joanne Liff, John Mansueto, Daniel McCarthy, Jane McGraw-Teubner, Eleanor Meier, Fred Mendelsohn, Muriel Musarra, Annette Napolitano, Paula Pelletier, Joan Rockwell, Robert Roehrig, Carole Link Scinta, Barbara Jeanne Siegel, John Taylor, Susan Trawick, Maria Lourdes Velez, Marlene Weinstein, and Patricia Yantz.

Many of the paintings are inspired by Long Island landscapes and seascapes of the Sound. This year’s Honored Artist is Anthony Davis whose oil paintings of the ever-changing surf will grace the walls of the mansion. Other paintings reflect artists’ travels and daily inspirations, which range from butterflies (Maria Lourdes Velez), birches (Shain Bard) to barns (Al Candia), according to Pelletier.

Mediums include oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel. Additionally, hand-painted photographs and cyanotypes by Marlene Weinstein. All paintings are for sale.

The first floor of the mansion will also feature a gift boutique where one can purchase original scarves, greeting cards and books, matted and unframed works (some originals, others giclee prints), as well as pottery by Russell Pulick. In addition, four paintings — generously donated by Patty Yantz, Paul Edelson, Eleanor Meier, and Carole Link Scinta — will be raffled off.

“The artists are excited to return to Deepwells with its floor-to-ceiling windows and extraordinary light. While there, visitors can admire its 19th century Greek-Revival architecture, learn the history of this beautiful mansion built in 1845 and view restoration projects,” said Pelletier.

“We would like to thank the members of the Setauket Artists community who work so hard and spend so many hours working to make our exhibits successful. In particular we would like to thank Renee Caine, Rob Roehrig and Patty Yantz for their time, energy, good humor and administrative skills,” she added.

Sponsored by Steven Baroumis of SBNY RE, the exhibit will run through June 15 at Deepwells Mansion, 2 Taylor Lane (corner of Route 25A and Moriches Road), in St. James. Admission is free. For more information and to view a selection of the paintings, visit setauketartists.com.

Gallery North presents Winner’s Circle exhibition

by Press Release - May 13, 2025

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'The Foamies' by Jonathan Spector will be on view at Gallery North through June 22. Image courtesy of Gallery North

Up next at Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket is their annual The Winner’s Circle exhibition celebrating the award-winning artists of the 2024 Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival.

The Winner’s Circle exhibition features recipients of the Best in Show award and best in categories including mixed media, fiber art, jewelry, painting, photography, and pottery at the 2024 Outdoor Art Show and Music Festival hosted every September by Gallery North. Featuring some of the finest art and craft from regional artists and artisans over its long 60-year history, the festival is a vital part of the regional art community and a significant tradition for the public. The 2024 festival judges, Nina Sangimino, Curator of the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook; Frances Campani, painter and associate professor of architecture at the NY Institute of Technology, and contemporary artist, Scott Farrell evaluated over 80 exhibitors to present the 14 available awards.

This exhibition is generously sponsored by the Field Family, Pet ER 24/7, Jefferson’s Ferry, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning.

On view from May 15 to June 22, the exhibition features works by artists Paul Speh, Cassandra Voulo, Laura and Dennis Kemple, Juan Cruz Reverberi, William Demaria, Galina Carroll, Jessamyn Go, Chloe Wang, Cassandra Hussey, Susan Rodgers, Mary Jane van Zeijts, Jonathan Spector, Ash Garcia-Diaz, Sophia Syritsyna, and Eileen Cassidy.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Meet the artists and view their work, and enjoy live music by Kane Daily. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

Reboli Center presents ‘The Story Behind a One-of-a-Kind Motorcycle’ May 10

by Press Release - May 9, 2025

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unnamed-1 — Photo courtesy of Reboli Center

The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook will host an exciting and informative talk with two distinguished figures in the world of classic motorcycles, international guest, Hans Keckeisen, and Long Island’s own, Peter Nettesheim on Saturday, May 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Keckeisen and Nettesheim will be discussing the fascinating history of BMW, the iconic Bavarian motor company, and the creation of a truly unique motorcycle that Keckeisen built specifically for Nettesheim’s museum collection. This event is open to the public and free to attend.

Hans Keckeisen is a master craftsman whose expertise in sheet metalwork, restoration, and reconstruction of classic motorcycles is second to none. Keckeisen specializes in restoring unusual bodywork and racing parts, always with meticulous attention to detail.

Drawing from years of experience and a passion for traditional craftsmanship techniques, Keckeisen is renowned for his work with BMW, Megola, and Windhoff motorcycles, among others. He treats each project with individual care, striving for the greatest possible authenticity and originality. He works with a diverse international clientele, from Austria to the USA, and his work is known for its dedication to preserving the technical cultural heritage of motorcycles.

The talk will also touch on Peter Nettesheim’s incredible contributions to preserving BMW’s legacy. Nettesheim is the owner of Nettesheim Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles, based on Long Island. With over 120 motorcycles spanning from 1923 to 1970, as well as 30 additional models from the 1970s onward, Nettesheim’s museum offers a remarkable look into the history and evolution of BMW’s motorcycle line.

The free event coincides with the Center’s current exhibit, Getting There, which that delves into the artistic exploration of various modes of transportation, such as cars, motorcycles, trains, boats, and beyond.

No reservations required. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be served. For more information, call 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

New exhibit at Mills Pond Gallery examines emotional connections in art

by Press Release - May 2, 2025

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Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Smithtown Township Arts Council presents Between Artist, Artwork and Audience — Emotional Connections in Art at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from May 3 to May 31.

Have you ever wondered about what is going on in a painting? For the viewer, art can be a doorway into the soul, passion, conflict, or love that is woven into each artwork. The artist’s creations sometimes reveal unspoken personal struggles or achievements, which cause the viewer to connect with a familiar experience in their life or inspire a new way of seeing the world. How we see art is uniquely affected by the lives we have lived.

In this latest exhibit, artists were asked to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their artwork and 96 artists from 48 Long Island communities as well as Brooklyn, Queens, Irvington and Larchmont NY, NJ, OH, MA and NV answered the call.

Works were created using acrylic, charcoal, conte, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored ink, oil, graphite, ink, mixed media, monotype print, oil, pastel, pencil, watercolor, and woodcut.

All of the artists have all shared brief personal connection statements which will be available to gallery visitors.

A statement by one of the exhibiting artists Joseph Gattulli helps to define the essence of this exhibit … “My art is not just about visual aesthetics; it is an invitation to engage with the deeper, often unspoken aspects of our emotional lives. I hope that viewers find a sense of connection and empathy, recognizing their own journeys within the narrative of my art.”

“We hope the exhibited work will touch our viewers whether they are intrigued, nostalgic, uplifted, calmed, hopeful or otherwise,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Debra Baker, Brenda L. Bechtel, Ron Becker, Kusuma Bheemineni, Kyle Blumenthal, Joyce Bressler, Kathy Brown, Renee Caine, Al Candia, Linda Ann Catucci, Carol Ceraso, Bernice Corbin, Jane Corrarino, Trisha biSha Danesi, Karen B Davis, Jennifer DeMory, Bernadette Denyse, Thomas DiCicco, William Drost, Paul Farinacci, Ellen Ferrigno, Bernadette Fox, Stuart Friedman, Peter Galasso, Joseph Gattulli, Joan Genchi, Arlene Gernon, Michele Gonzalez, Meghan Goparaju, Rhoda Gordon, Susan Guihan Guasp, Alexandra Guma, Regina Halliday, Christopher L. Hanson, David Herman, Tyler Hughes, Heather Jablon, Julia Jenkins, George Junker, Sally Anne Keller, James Kelson, Angelica Kempa, Mary Kiernan, Catherine Knight, Myungja Anna Koh, Sara Kohrt, Scott Lawson, Matthew Lombardo, Tracy Mahler, John Mansueto, Jeanette Martone, Adriena Masi, Liz Jorg Masi, Kathleen McArdle, Avrel Menkes, Romalia Mitchell, John Morris, Diane Motroni, Judith Musaro, Mary Nagin, Judy Pagano, Maureen Palmieri, Patti Peterson, Vanessa Pineda Fox, Denis Ponsot, Jeff Potter, Kelly Powell, Nicole Pray, Josephine Puccio, Bernice Rausch, William Reed, Robert Roehrig, Lori Scarlatos, Adriana Serban, Kendra Singh, Gisela Skoglund, Lynn Staiano, Mike Stanko, Maddy Stare, Judy Stone, Amanda Szczurowski, Gia Dianna Taylor, Joanne Teets, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Andrea Tonty, Robert Tuska, Diane Van Velsor, Robert Wallkam, Joseph Weinreb, Marie Winn, Marie Winn, Nina Wood, Patty Yantz, and Theodora Zavala.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

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