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Smithsonian’s Voices and Votes: Democracy in America opens at the Long Island Museum

by Press Release - February 20, 2025

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unnamed — 'Voices and Votes' will be on view at the Long Island Museum through April 6. Photo from LIM

Special Exhibition Opening February 20 in Advance of Women’s History Month

The Long Island Museum (LIM), 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook has announced the arrival of “A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy,” a humanities discussion series that includes the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibition, Voices and Votes: Democracy in America and LIM’s response exhibition Building the Ballot Box: Long Island’s Democratic History opening on February 20, in advance of Women’s History Month. These engaging and thought-provoking exhibitions and programs will examine nearly 250 years of history, exploring the ongoing pursuit to form “a more perfect union.”

The only Smithsonian Affiliate Institution in the Nassau-Suffolk region, LIM collects, preserves, interprets, and celebrates Long Island’s richly diverse past and its storied role in our nation’s history.

“The Long Island Museum is honored to be involved in this statewide conversation about democracy,” said Co-Executive Director Joshua Ruff. “In our response exhibition and planned programs, we will especially explore how political participation throughout our region has expanded and been a shifting, challenging, and inspirational terrain over time.”

‘Building the Ballot Box’ will be on view at the Long Island Museum through May 18. Photo from LIM

Building the Ballot Box, on view through May 18, will examine the role this region played in history from the Women’s suffrage movement, Civil Rights, and other movements in political history. This exhibition will include key artifacts like the Suffrage Wagon that was across New York State in public events to advocate for women’s suffrage in 1917. Other objects highlight regional trailblazers such as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black US Congresswoman, and Geraldine Ferraro, the first female candidate nominated for Vice President by a major political party.

Voices and Votes, on view through April 6, is based on a major exhibition currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith, and includes many of the same dynamic features: historical and contemporary photographs; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives, and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia, and protest material.

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is the statewide organizer for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s Museum on Main Street program bringing Voices and Votes: Democracy in America to twelve museums across New York State. The Long Island Museum is the seventh institution in the state to participate in “A New Agora for New York” and host the Voices and Votes exhibition.

“Long Island is full of inspiring stories of civic engagement and significant ‘firsts’ in America’s 250 years of democratic history,” said MANY Agora Project Fellow Ren Lee. “We are thrilled to work with the Long Island Museum as they use Voices and Votes as a launching point to engage with their community through these exhibitions and a truly fantastic lineup of programs.”

The Voices and Votes exhibition will be on view in the Cowles Gallery of LIM’s History Museum. Building the Ballot Box will be on view directly adjacent to Voices and Votes, in the History Museum’s Main Gallery. These exhibitions will be accompanied by a series of programs including a drop-in day for Girl Scouts on Friday February 21 and an American Experiments Game Night on Feb. 27.

For a full description of the exhibitions and all programs, visit the Long Island Museum’s website longislandmuseum.org

‘Contours & Currents: Recent Works by Edward Acosta’ heads to Gallery North

by Press Release - February 15, 2025

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Up next at Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket is an exhibit titled Contours & Currents: Recent Works by Edward Acosta, on view from Feb. 20 to March 30.

Contours & Currents is Edward Acosta’s first solo exhibition at Gallery North. The exhibition features a selection of large and medium-scale acrylic paintings inspired by views of sunrises and sunsets on Long Island.

Influenced by Pop Art, Street Art, and Geometric Abstraction, Acosta’s work is defined by vibrant and dynamic compositions with precise linework and layered refined organic forms. His bold designs appear to place the viewer on expansive topographic contours of an island or within the strikingly prismatic currents of the atmosphere and ocean. Acosta’s juxtaposition of shapes and tones are used to create regions of tension, tranquility, motion and harmony.

Born in Puerto Rico, Edward Acosta is a New York-based visual artist whose paintings have been exhibited at notable institutions, including the Heckscher Museum of Art and The Long Island Museum, where one of his works is part of the permanent collection. He has also collaborated with leading brands to create innovative, immersive art installations. Acosta currently works from his studio in Commack.

An opening reception will be held on Feb. 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will host an ArTalk on March 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition, reception and ArTalk will be free and open to the public.

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

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

Artist Josephine Puccio to be featured at Apple Bank exhibition in Smithtown

by Press Release - February 1, 2025

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Smithtown Township Arts Council has announced that the works of Saint James artist Josephine Puccio will be on view at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown from Feb. 5 to April 3.

From a very young age, Puccio loved art. Growing up in Brooklyn, her family would visit her grandparents in the country (now known as Howard Beach). The artist fell in love with the beauty of the trees, flowers and natural landscape and at age 7 she begged her parents to buy her crayons and paper so she could draw what she saw.

“Till this day I can sit for hours upon hours and paint what I see in hopes of bringing to everyone the beauty, excitement and love for nature that I feel in my heart!” said Puccio.

The artist moved to Florida for eight years, returning to Long Island in 2022. Before her move, she was an award-winning artist exhibiting her work and winning many prizes at galleries across the island from East Hampton to East Meadow having exhibited at Guild Hall, Suburban Art League, Wet Paints Studio Group among many others. Happy to return to the Art scene on Long Island, Puccio continues to exhibit her art and win prizes!

The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday -Thursday 9 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 6 pm; Saturday 9 am – 1 pm.

Robert Graham Carter retrospective exhibit debuts at The Hecksher Museum

by Tara Mae - February 1, 2025

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'Social Center/Barbershop' by Robert Graham Carter will be on view at The Heckscher Museum through May 25. Image courtesy of Heckscher Museum

By Tara Mae

Heritage, humanity, and hope are explored through works of legacy and lineage in Robert Graham Carter: The Art of Reflection. The exhibit at the Heckscher Museum of Art, from February 2 to May 25, 2025, encapsulates as it illuminates the past six decades of the artist’s career.

“It’s a retrospective—a little glimpse into virtually all the stages and turning points within my art career. It’s interesting for me to see it put together like this—it gives you a perspective that you don’t get working day to day,” said Carter, who is also a long-time art professor at Nassau Community College.

Robert Graham Carter, Proud Queen, Tribute To My Wife, 1995 Wood and acrylic, Robert Graham Carter Family Collection

Featuring 22 artworks and several archival pieces, the show explores three themes central to Graham’s work: charm of childhood; importance of spirituality in his life; and, social inequities, with a concentration on topics that connect to Black experiences.

“Mr. Carter came up with the three messages, or themes, he wanted to have the exhibit explore. We selected the works with that focus,” Heckscher guest curator Sarah Battle said. Battle is affiliated with the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, where Carter is set to have an exhibition in 2027.

Influenced by his youth in Louisville, Kentucky, during Jim Crow, and his adulthood and career on Long Island, the exhibit is an exchange between past and present as well as Carter and the audience.

“It is really special to be able to see some early works in conversation with larger pieces,” Battle said.

Art is the language Carter uses to discuss his individual narrative and how it is a chapter of a larger story. It evokes memories, moments, and imagination.

“All of us wear many masks. For example, I am a father, a husband (before my wife passed), an educator, an artist, a neighbor, a friend, and on and on,” he said. “I found myself responding to the things that were interesting and important to me within these roles. I would end up making a series of works based on one of these masks.”

Robert Graham Carter
If Der Be Angels Then Some Must Look Like Me, c. 2000s,
Wood and acrylic, Robert Graham Carter Family Collection

His examination and meditation on these concepts are expressed through mixed media works from the 1970s-2010s, including pencil or pastels on paper; sketches; multi-scale paintings; and sculptural components. One of Carter’s high-relief sculptural paintings, “Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More,” is part of the Heckscher’s permanent collection.

The versatility of his form underscores the sometimes subtle vibrancy of his scenes, like striking portraits or snippets of everyday life.

“What draws me to them and his art in general is that it works on a couple of different levels; they usually reveal something personal, like a memory or experience of the artist and makes you reflect on your own memories or experiences,” Battle said. “Or, his art acts as commentary for the artist.”

These elements offer insight into both process and progress. Both the singular perspective and the collective understanding are presented as Carter’s art evokes emotional introspection and community celebration through subject and substance.

“This has been a positive experience for me, and I hope that the people who see this exhibit are positively affected also. Basically, I feel that art is a communication process and for me I am hoping visitors have a good response,” Carter said.

Admission to The Heckscher Museum of Art is free. Located at 2 Prime Avenue in Huntington, the museum is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-380-3230 or visit www.heckscher.org.

SCCC Selden’s Flecker Gallery unveils new solo exhibit, ‘Daylight’

by Press Release - January 25, 2025

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AdamLowenbein__007_MedRes — 'Reverie' by Adam Lowenbein

The Flecker Gallery on the Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus, 533 College Road, Selden has announced its first exhibition of the semester, DAYLIGHT by acclaimed artist Adam Lowenbein. This captivating exhibition will open on Thursday, February 6, with a reception and artist talk from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Southampton Building of the Ammerman Campus. The show will run through March 6, 2025.

DAYLIGHT features a series of large-scale works that are both visually stunning and thought-provoking. Lowenbein’s art transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, using unrestrained color and layered textures to create pieces that are at once beautiful and unsettling. His paintings stretch moments in time, inviting viewers into a world where tension and anticipation hover in the air, blurring the lines between clarity and unease. This exhibition offers audiences an opportunity to explore the hidden layers of the familiar, uncovering an unexpected underbelly within everyday environments.

Adam Lowenbein is an artist whose work has been celebrated both nationally and internationally. Based on Long Island, and Fort Lauderdale, FL, Lowenbein holds a BFA in painting from The Rhode Island School of Design and an MFA in painting from Indiana University, where he attended on a fellowship. His impressive career includes grants to attend the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and the Vermont Studio Center, as well as a year as a Core Fellow at The Glassell School, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

This exhibition and artist talk present a unique opportunity for the public to engage with Lowenbein’s remarkable work and gain insight into his creative process. Don’t miss the chance to experience DAYLIGHT at the Flecker Gallery this semester.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and by appointment).

For more information, please contact the Flecker Gallery at 631-451-4093.

Mills Pond Gallery presents annual Member Artist Showcase Exhibition

by Press Release - January 23, 2025

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Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery in St. James kicks off the new year with its annual Member Artist Showcase Exhibition celebrating the creativity and tapestry of talent that defines our communities. Featuring the work of 97 Long Island artists, the exhibit runs from Jan. 25 through Feb. 23.

The featured artwork was created in a wide variety of mediums including acrylic, charcoal and pastel, conte, gouache,mixed media, monotype print, oil, pastel, pen & ink, pencil, photography, pigment ink, archival substrate on panel, resin sculpture, solarplate etching, watercolor and more.

“This exhibit allowed the artists to select the art they wanted to show… each of them offering their distinct approach to seeing and representing their artistic passion. We hope gallery visitors enjoy the artwork presented and we hope once they leave, they suddenly catch the beauty in something because a painting brought their mind into a different focus,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Adam D. Smith, Adriena Masi, Andrea Fortunoff, Andrea Tonty, Arlene Gernon, Barbara Jones, Bernice Corbin, Bernice Rausch, Bob Stone, Christopher Buckley, Constance Sloggatt Wolf, CW Max, Daniel Van Benthuysen, David Herman, Debra Baker, Diane Motroni, Dominique Treboux, Ellen Ferrigno, Felecia Montfort, Frederic Mendelsohn, Gia Horton, George Junker, Heather Jablon, Hillary Serota Needle, Jacqueline DuBarry, Jacques Garant, James Kelson, Jane Corrarino, Jeanette Martone, Joan Rockwell, JoAnne Dumas, John Mansueto, John Morris, Josephine Puccio, Joyce Bressler, Judy Stone, Karin Dutra, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Kathy Brown, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Kusuma Bheemineni, Kyle Blumenthal, Linda Hartman, Linda Ann Catucci, Lisa Marie Scrima-Castelli, Liz Jorg Masi, Lori Scarlatos, Lou Deutsch, Louise McClellan, Lynn Kinsella, Lynn Staiano, M. Ellen Winter, Madeline Stare, Mark Levine, Mary Difronzo, Mary Waka, Mary Ann Vetter, Matthew Lombardo, Mike Stanko, Myungja Anna Koh, Nicholas Valentino, Pamela Waldroup, Pat Forie, Patricia DiGiovanni,Patricia Lind-Gonzalez, Patricia Yantz, Patti Napolitano Kern, Paul Edelson, Paul Mele, Renee Caine, Robert Wallkam, Robert Tuska, Robert Roehrig, Roberta Rogers, Ron Becker, Roni Murillo, Ross Barbera, Sally Anne Keller, Sandra Feinberg, Sandra Riddle, Scott Hartman, Sean Pollock, Sebastian McLaughlin, Shain Bard, Stephen Shannon, Steven Walker, Susan Guihan Guasp, Terence Mcmanus, Terry Tramantano, Theodora Zavala, Theresa Graff, Thomas Dicicco, Tracey Alemaghides, Victoria Beckert, Virginia Mallon, Whitney Bell, and William Drost.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the artists and enjoy their wonderful creations.

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.

New exhibit at Gallery North features Kathleen Massi in ‘Transcendences’

by Press Release - January 9, 2025

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testjan925 — 'Fading Shallows' by Kathleen Masssi

Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket kicks off the new year with an exciting solo photography exhibit titled Transcendences by artist Kathleen Massi, on view from Jan. 9 to Feb. 16.

The exhibition features a selection of abstract and impressionist photographs from Massi’s various series, including her Otherworldly series, her Life Imagined series, as well as her Traces, Land Spirits, Nightfall and Discourse series.

Massi’s photographs transport the viewer just beyond our reality into hidden realms. Each series varies from vibrant, bold compositions reminiscent of otherworldly landscapes, to serene, ethereal spaces defined by soft hues and gentle movement. Her use of color and movement, and her shortening of the pictorial space highlight the influences of artists such as Kandinsky and Rothko on her work. Her painterly images are created by applying intentional camera movement, soft focus and multiple exposure to local landscapes and her own found object arrangements.

Based on the north shore of Long Island, Kathleen Massi discovered her interest in photography in 2017 after retiring from a career in management at an aerospace corporation. Massi is self-taught and works with a range of photographic processes and styles. Her work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums across Long Island and New York City.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will host an ArTalk with a demonstration on Saturday, Feb. 8 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition, reception and ArTalk are free and open to the public. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

This exhibition is generously sponsored the Field Family, Jefferson’s Ferry, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning.

Gurwin Adult Day Care Health Program hosts inspiring Art Gala for their program artists

by Press Release - December 10, 2024

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Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation’s Adult Day Care Health Program recently hosted an Art Gala, celebrating the artistic achievements of their program participants. The event showcased their creativity and talents in a stunning display of more than 50 pieces of artwork, ranging from mixed media to pottery and jewelry.

The Program’s main lobby and hallway were transformed into a captivating gallery, featuring acrylic paintings on canvas, watercolors, colored pencil drawings, marker illustrations and an impressive selection of handcrafted pottery and jewelry. Visitors admired the diverse styles and expressions that reflected the enthusiasm and talent of each artist.

In March 2025, selected pieces from Gurwin’s Adult Day Care Health Program’s gala will be showcased in the Commack Public Library’s gallery, bringing this remarkable exhibit to the wider local community.

Significant to the event’s success is art mentor Marcia Tapia, who runs the Love Without Barriers Foundation. For the past two years, Marcia has generously volunteered her time every Thursday morning, guiding Gurwin’s Adult Day Care participants with compassion, patience and exceptional teaching skills. Through her mentorship, participants have gained confidence and refined their artistic techniques, unlocking their creative potential.

The Art Gala also included a heartfelt tribute to one of the program’s most talented artists, Olga Trujillo. Olga’s artwork holds a special place in the program, with one of her pieces featured as the cover of the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center’s Annual Calendar. All of Olga’s works were beautifully displayed at the event, honoring her memory.

“Our art program is one of the many awe-inspiring activities our participants engage in,” said Jeraldine Fedoriw, LMSW, Chief Adult Day Officer at Gurwin. “We’ve had legally blind individuals create stunning artwork, even when they’ve never done any type of art before. Our Art Gala highlighted their pride in showing their work and the appreciation of their families says it all.”

Attendees left inspired by the passion of the artists from the Gurwin Adult Day Care Program.

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About Gurwin Adult Day Care Program:

The Gurwin Adult Day Care Program, located at Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, is part of the Gurwin Healthcare System and offers a compassionate and supportive environment for individuals in need of daytime care. Designed for seniors and adults with chronic illnesses or disabilities, the program focuses on enhancing quality of life through medical supervision, personalized care plans and engaging activities. Participants receive tailored services, including physical therapy, socialization opportunities, and cognitive stimulation from a team of skilled professionals dedicated to meeting both the medical and emotional needs of participants. The award-winning program is located in Commack, NY, and serves the surrounding communities. For more information, please visit www. gurwin.org/adult-day-health or call 631-715-2520.

‘Sweet Memories’ art installation arrives at the Stony Brook Train Station

by Press Release - December 7, 2024

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Members of the Three Village community traveled back in time on Monday, December 2nd to visit an imaginative old-fashion pushcart of newspapers, candy and treats at the Stony Brook Train Station. The pushcart, and a host of other turn of the century items, are all part of a new holiday art exhibit titled Sweet Memories created by the talented Michael Rosengard.

The Three Village Community Trust hosted the artist reception as part of its ongoing Stony Brook Train Station Beautification Project. Located outside the front entrance of the historic Stony Brook Station House, Sweet Memories is meant to create a sense of nostalgia for those visiting or passing by the station. It highlights a simpler time in America, as well as the importance of the Long Island Rail Road in bringing families together this time of year.

By the size of the turnout for the reception, and the enthusiasm of the crowd, the installation is an instant “holiday classic.” The community’s renowned art institutions were represented by Lois Reboli, President of the Reboli Center for Art and History, and Ned Puchner, Executive Director of Gallery North. Also attending the reception were Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright and Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, as well as key members of the Three Village Historical Society, the Three Village Civic Association and the Stony Brook School

The response to the display certainly thrilled artist Michael Rosengard, who noted, “I’m passionate about improving our community. This project is meant to promote the sense of joy and pride so many of us feel for the Three Villages! I’m thrilled to see so many people here today with smiles on their faces. This is such a great way to bring the community together for the holidays. I hope everyone tells their family and friends to visit the display and take photographs.”

Herb Mones, president of the Three Village Community Trust observed, “All of Michael’s work enriches the cultural and social fabric of our North Shore community. His art installation demonstrates the vibrant, creative, and giving spirit of so many of our residents. The Three Village Community Trust and its partners in the Station Beautification Project are proud to facilitate Sweet Memories.”

Over the past three years, the Three Village Community Trust, along with the Three Village Civic Association, the North Suffolk Garden Club, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce, the Three Village Rotary, the Three Village Historical Society, and students and faculty at the Stony Brook School have engaged in the Beautification Project at the Stony Brook Train Station.

Significant progress has been made removing debris, weeds, and invasive plants from the landscaped beds. Now, a wide variety of Long Island native plants have been added to the landscaped beds. The art installation of Sweet Memories is another part of the beautification project.

Those attending the reception enjoyed a variety of old fashion candies and treats provided by the artist. Hot chocolate, coffee, and lunch was generously donated by Bagel Express. Sweet Memories is now on display at the Stony Brook Train Station until Dec. 20th.

The Long Island Museum celebrates 85 years with the 11th Annual LIMarts Members’ exhibition: Milestones

by Press Release - December 6, 2024

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The Long Island Museum (LIM), 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook and LIMarts are delighted to announce the opening of the 11th Annual Members’ Exhibition, Milestones. This year’s exhibition holds special significance as the museum celebrates its 85th anniversary, reflecting on its legacy as a cultural cornerstone in the community.

On view hrough December 22 in the LIM History Museum, Milestones brings together the creative visions of over 100 LIMarts members. Each piece represents a unique interpretation of personal and collective milestones, highlighting moments of growth, change, and reflection through art.

‘Fam*ly of Humans – THEY ARE US!,’ mixed media installation by Linda Louis

Embracing the goal of enhancing and supporting Long Island’s rich artistic talent, LIM established LIMarts: a collaborative arts group for visual artists. LIMarts provides its members with opportunities to exhibit and sell artwork, participate in programming events and lectures, and engage with both fellow artists and the public. Designed to foster a creative forum within the cultural community, LIMarts has become an essential resource for the region’s artists.

In addition to showcasing exceptional artwork, Milestones offers art enthusiasts an opportunity to acquire pieces from some of Long Island’s finest artists. Most works on display are available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds benefiting LIM’s ongoing programs and initiatives. All purchased pieces will remain on view for the duration of the exhibition.

“The annual LIMarts exhibition is one of the most exciting highlights of the year,” said Alexandria D’Auria, Director of Development. “With its eclectic group of talented artists, Milestones showcases the creative spirit of our members while offering an opportunity for the community to support and connect with local artists. This year’s exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire, celebrate milestones, and bring people together.”

The exhibition is generously supported by: Robert W. Baird Incorporated, The Carol & Arnold Wolowitz Foundation, The Smithtown Community Trust.

For more information about Milestones or to become an LIMArts member please visit longislandmuseum.org

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