FOWL PLAY
Gerard Romano spied this chicken in his hometown of Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 3. He writes, ‘When was the last time you saw chickens running around? This hen was one of three enjoying some freedom from its coup on a hot summer day.
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By Tara Mae
The Long Island Museum (LIM) in Stony Brook unveils three exciting new exhibitions — Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light, Fire & Form: New Directions in Glass and the 8th annual LIMarts Members’ Exhibition, Fragile — this Friday, Aug. 20. All three will be on view through Dec. 19.
Peace may be found in both the practice and presence of art. Fragile explores how art enriches our lives, particularly during times of stress and strife. On display in the recently renovated Cowles Gallery in the History Museum and Visitors Center (pictured on the right), the show features works by 92 members of LIMarts, both amateur and professional, working in different formats and mediums including sculpture, printmaking, oil painting, watercolor, etc.
“LIMarts is a collaborative arts group designed for artists dedicated to creating a new forum within our cultural community,” said Neil Watson, Executive Director of the LIM. “The group offers space for the exhibition and sale of artwork, varied programming events, lectures and opportunities for social gathering with other artists and the public.”
All LIMarts members were invited to submit one piece for the exhibit, which enables the museum to introduce or amplify the art of local artists to its audience. Although a few of the artists have works already in the museum’s permanent collection, the art included in Fragile is being exhibited for the first time.
Thanks to a sponsorship by Maryellen and Michael Lubinsky, the museum was able to waive its normal commission; all proceeds from art sales will go directly to the artists.
There were no confines put on the artists’ interpretations of the theme, but they were constrained by space; each participant’s work had to fit on 12″ x 12″ canvas boards. This restriction enabled creative solutions and unique results.
“When everybody’s work is the same size, it distills a different type of beauty…they are all on the same panel and figuring it out,” said Joshua Ruff, Deputy Director of the LIM and the show’s curator. “The diversity of approaches and how the exhibit was interpreted are amazing: fragile, as an idea, departure point, and concept.”
During the past 19 months, emotional and physical fragility have been ideas arguably at the forefront of the collective conscience. Most of the submissions were created during this time frame, and these ideas are recurring subjects, especially as they relate to the delicate nature of both the environment and human condition. Yet fragile does not equal weak, and the exhibit is also a testament to how fragility can be infused with fortitude.
“This is not an exhibition of 92 different ways of suffering; rather it shows there is an inner reserve of strength in all of us. You can be vulnerable but have other positive qualities of strength. I think some of the artists were trying to say that you can be fragile but be strong or have a fragile environment that produces great beauty and great strength,” said Ruff.
Certain artists chose to explore the intersection of fragility and vulnerability by experimenting with new painting styles or artistic techniques. “Some artists were trying new things and you can be vulnerable when you are trying new things,” Ruff explained. “It’s really impressive to see how many ways people approached the subject and how many different points of view and perspectives you see.”
Organized by the Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass in Queens, Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light will be the first exhibition of its kind at the LIM. This compelling exhibition will include five windows, twenty lamps, and several displays showing how Louis C. Tiffany’s lamps were assembled, and how collectors today can distinguish between authentic lamps and forgeries.
The exhibition features some of the most celebrated of Tiffany’s works. Chosen for their masterful rendering of nature in flowers or landscape scenes, they exemplify the rich and varied glass palette, sensitive color selection, and intricacy of design that was characteristic of Tiffany’s leaded-glass objects. This exhibition also highlights some of the key figures at Tiffany Studios who made essential contributions to the artistry of the windows and lamps— chemist Arthur J. Nash and designers Agnes Northrop and Clara Driscoll.
Fire & Form: New Directions in Glass , organized by the Long Island Museum, will feature nearly 50 works from nine contemporary artists, all reinforcing that glass is a sculptural material of near-infinite artistic and narrative possibilities. The artists included in this exhibition represent some of the most renowned names in American contemporary glass: Joseph Cavalieri, Deborah Czeresko, Trefny Dix, Bengt Hokanson, Beth Lipman, Judith Schaechter, Andy Stenerson, Marianne Weil, and Toots Zynsky. These exceptional artists all demonstrate a variety of approaches, methods, and inspirational starting points. Fire & Form will inhabit more than 2,500 square feet in LIM’s History Museum and Visitor’s Center and will be accompanied by a richly illustrated 30-page catalogue that will be printed as a takeaway for visitors.
“Fire & Form and Tiffany Glass are two of the biggest and most beautiful exhibitions we have ever mounted here,” says Joshua Ruff, Deputy Director the LIM and one of the curators of Fire & Form. “The comparison between Tiffany’s approach with some of the striking other work people will see — modern stained glass, blown glass, and cast glass — will really give people some perspective on how versatile a medium it really is.
IF YOU GO
The Long Island Museum is located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook. It is open Thursday to Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (62 and older), $5 for students (including college students with IDs), $3.50 for people with disabilities (personal care assistants admitted for free), and free for children under the age of six. For more information about the above exhibits or orther programs at the LIM, call 631-751-0066 or visit longislandmuseum.org.
By Tara Mae
After a 3 year absence, Local Color returns to Gallery North, a proclamation of the connection between art, artist, and community. On view from Aug. 19 to Sept. 26, the exhibit is presented in conjunction with the North Shore Artists Coalition and includes a reception and Open Studio Tour.
The beautiful show features artists whose work is both universal and local in impact, meaning, and appeal.
“[Executive Director] Ned Puchner and I decided to bring Local Color back this year and re-envision it to show through these artists what local culture is about. The exhibit is defining the role artists play in shaping identity of community and showing diversity of how artists define community: creating culture, creating beautiful and impactful work, adding to the identity through their outreach, etc,” said curator Kate Schwarting.
The show’s art is as varied as its interpretation of theme, featuring oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculptures, and digital renderings. Thirty artists, from St. James to Mount Sinai, will be featured including Kelynn Alder, Arts.codes (Margaret Schedel and Melissa Clarke), Fred Badalamenti, Joan Branca, Sheila Breck, Pam Brown, Nancy Bueti-Randall, Sue Contessa, Micheal Drakopoulos, Paul Edelson, Peter Galasso, Han Qin, LoVid, Flo Kemp, Karen Kemp, Jim Lecky, Jim Molloy, Carlos Morales, Patricia Morrison, Patricia Paladines, Mel Pekarsky, Alicia R. Peterson, Doug Reina, Joseph Rotella, Angela Stratton, Mary Jane van Zeijts, Lorraine Walsh, Annmarie Waugh, Marlene Weinstein, and Christian White.
“What is so special about this exhibition is that each artist brings a different thing to the exhibition,” explained Schwarting. “A plein air painter captures the essence of a familiar location and allows us to see it in different light; someone else [deals] with a scientific topic that is so difficult to comprehend, but creates art that enables us to know through physical form and visual cues.”
Several of the participants are also activists who champion social, technological, and environmental awareness and change through their art.
According to Schwarting, a number of the artists were recruited through the gallery’s association with the North Shore Artists Coalition, while others were invited by her and Puchner.
Pam Brown, a sculptor who lives in Stony Brook and co-founder of the coalition, helped facilitate the partnership between the group and the gallery. Her piece, Armour, is a sculpture fabricated out of sheet metal, wire, boar bristles, and vinyl. Brown’s efforts in facilitating the relationship between Gallery North and the North Shore Artists Coalition reflect the connection she sees between art and community outreach.
“Community engagement creates an opportunity for the arts and artists to be seen by their communities — it initiates new ways for the public and artists to build connections between different groups. It brings together communities so they can articulate their own history and culture and to acknowledge that art is taking place in a larger context,” she said.
For artist Doug Reina of Stony Brook, who has exhibited at Gallery North in the past, showing his work in Local Color is reconnecting with a “fun, summertime tradition.”
“My work is about sharing the interesting, touching, emotional, funny, beautiful, sad human things that mean something to me with the viewer,” said Reina. His oil painting, titled Boys Night Out, depicts 4 teenage boys sneaking out of the house on a summer night. “The painting is based on real life experiences we had when our son was that age,” he explained.
Interpersonal connection is a recurring subject of the show’s art. This focus extends outward into explorations of our interactions with and responsibility to the world-at-large.
Han Qin of St. James will be entering her cyanotype on paper, White Goddess, which incorporates digital photo editing, drawing, and papermaking. It was inspired by two poems: “The White Goddess” by Robert Graves and “Quiet Night Thoughts” by Li Bai.
“I started the White Goddess series during my pregnancy and have been developing it until now. Poetry and life experience are the main inspirations. The idea behind the artwork becomes a shared experience that brings people together,” she said.
“We as a people have a long continuous personal storyline. Artwork is the moment on the storyline. My moment connects with others’ moments in their individual storylines; thus, a web of emotional connections builds up. That is a community, too,” said Qin.
Such cultural connections are enhanced through community involvement. In this spirit, exhibiting artists of Local Color will also be featured in an Open Studio Tour hosted by the North Shore Artists Coalition and Gallery North on Sept. 25 and 26, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
“With one piece from each of the selected artists in the exhibit itself, the Open Studio Tour allows for an expanded view of the individual artists,” said Schwarting.
Gallery North, 90 North Coutry Road, Setauket presents Local Color from Aug. 19 to Sept. 26. Join the artists for an opening reception tonight, August 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.
Bethel Hobbs Community Farm in Centereach and Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle hosted the 7th annual Run the Farm 4-Mile Challenge on Aug. 14. The race covered roughly two miles of flat terrain preceded by a mile of rolling hills and two mildly challenging ascents before concluding at the historic grounds of Bethel Hobbs Community Farm. The run was followed by an award ceremony.
“After the 2020 virtual run it was great to see everyone back at the farm supporting a great cause,” said LaValle. “A big thank you to all of our runners, sponsors, volunteers and local community and governmental entities that helped make this race happen! Looking forward to Hobbs Farm 2022!”
Proceeds from this annual event support the farm’s Missionary Outreach that feeds the hungry. Last year the farm donated over 33,000 pounds of fresh organic produce was donated to food pantries throughout the Suffolk area.
Bethel Hobbs Community Farm is located at 178 Oxhead Road in Centereach. For more information or if you would like to volunteer, call 631-774-1556.
By Heidi Sutton
Lovers of all things Greek will gather at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson this weekend when the church hosts its 59th annual Greek Festival on Friday, Aug. 20 from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 21 from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 22 from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature carnival rides, a variety of vendors, fireworks, church tours, live music, dancing and of course, traditional culinary delights.
Authentic mouth-watering foods such as gyros, tiropita (cheese pie), souvlaki, and spanakopita (spinach pie) will be served up, along with sweet desserts such as galaktoboureko, koulourakia, baklava and loukoumades, a fried dough pastry favorite.
One of the main attractions at the festival is the over-the-top sweepstakes that the church holds. This year 200 prizes will be awarded from cars — a 2022 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 W4 is first prize — to a trip to Greece, cash prizes; Xbox; New York Giants tickets; a10-inch iPad; a 24″ Smart TV, gift cards and much more. Tickets for the sweepstakes are $100 each, limited to 3,999 tickets — meaning that one out of 20 will win a prize. The drawing will be held on Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.
Fireworks will be held on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Free shuttle buses will pick up attendees from Ward Melville High School, 380 Old Town Road, East Setauket to transport them to festival on Saturday and Sunday only. Parking is also available at BASF Corporation across the street from the church. Admission to the festival is $2 requested donation per person.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is located at 430 Sheep Pasture Road in Port Jefferson. For more information, call the church office at 631-473-0894 or visit www.portjeffgreekfest.com.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Casting of “street characters” for the 25th annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival on Dec. 4 and 5 is currently underway. Adults, teens and children are needed for scripted scenes and improv as well as some singing and dancing. No experience necessary. Participants have the option of joining for a portion of the festival weekend or for the long haul for the rehearsals and scenes. An informational meeting will be held on August 24 at 7 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson. For more information, email Karen at [email protected].
Rabbi Dovid Weinbaum, Director of the Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School in Dix Hills, was named Educator of the Year by Ckids, a leading programmer of Jewish education. Rabbi Weinbuam earned the honor for his stellar leadership navigating a seamless transition to online learning during Covid-19. He pioneered an entirely new structure, and directed and produced creative and engaging classes and curriculums, ensuring children around the country were able to not only continue their Jewish education during unprecedented times, but also thoroughly enjoy the experience.
As Director of The Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School, Rabbi Weinbaum is launching a new immersive and transformative Hebrew school curriculum this year called Israel Quest. According to Rabbi Weinbaum, “The program will explore the history of the people of Israel, with lessons tailored to a child’s grade level, enabling them to discover the history and secrets of our homeland through an unforgettable Hebrew school experience.”
Using educational tools, such as virtual reality, topography, theater, filmmaking, STEAM activities and more, students will relive the journey of the Jewish People in the Land of Israel, from the time the Jews entered the land led by prophets and kings, until the untimely destruction of the Holy Temples.
“By incorporating the latest technology, hands-on activities, and inspired and inventive programs, we are creating an environment where children embrace coming to Hebrew school and are eager to learn and participate,” said Rabbi Weinbaum.
Registration for The Chai Center Noskin Hebrew School is now open. For more information and to register go to www.DixHillsHebrewSchool.com or call 631-351-8672.
Save the date! Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson hosts the 15th annual Long Island Comedy Festival on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. Hosted by Paul Anthony, Friday’s comedians include John Santo, Aiko Tanaka, Eric Haft and Chris Roach. Saturday’s comedic line-up includes Talia Reese, Dennis Rooney, Mark DeMayo and Richie Byrne. Tickets are $35 per person per show. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Calling all Trekkies! In addition to being the 55th anniversary of Star Trek, this year also marks the 35th anniversary of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. To celebrate, Paramount Pictures and Fathom Events will “beam” a remastered version of The Voyage Home to select movie theaters nationwide on Thursday, Aug. 19 (which also would have been Gene Roddenberry’s 100th birthday) and Sunday, Aug. 22.
This special screening will also include a featurette called “Three Picture Saga,” featuring cast and crew exploring the backstory of the story arc seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Plot: When a mysterious alien power threatens the atmosphere of Earth in the 23rd Century, Captain Kirk and his crew must time travel back to 1986 San Francisco to save mankind. Exploring this strange new world, they encounter punk rock, pizza and exact-change buses that are as alien as anything in the far reaches of the galaxy.
“We are so proud to work with Paramount to bring this Star Trek film back to theaters for the 35th anniversary,” said Tom Lucas, VP of Studio Relations at Fathom Events in a statement. “Between being nominated for four Academy Awards and the unconventional storyline, this film, in particular, deserves the big-screen treatment.”
The event is set to coincide not only with the film’s 35th anniversary, but also with its upcoming release on 4K UHD Blu-ray in Star Trek: The Original 4-Movie Collection, set to hit shelves on September 7.
Screenings will be held at AMC Stony Brook 17, 2196 Nesconset Highway, Stony Brook at 3 and 7 p.m. on both days and at Island Cinema De Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19 and 3 p.m. on Aug. 22. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
Mia is a three year-old Female Mastiff and Lab Mix. Mia has a heartbreaking story, arriving at the Smithtown Animal Shelter after she was hit by a car. Fortunately, she ended up with only minor scrapes and fractures in her foot. However, her owner could not afford medical treatments, and she was surrendered to the Shelter as a result.
Mia grew up as a yard dog, where she lived a life where she didn’t get much exposure to others. Her time in the Shelter has helped her come out of her shell, and she has shown how goofy, affectionate, and loving she can be. Mia’s favorite activities include walks and playing with toys! It takes her some time to get used to strangers, but once you become friends with her, she’ll reward you with snuggles and kisses. Mia would do well in homes with non-dominant dogs that are her size and with children 14 and older.
She is spayed, microchipped and up to date on her vaccines.
If you are interested in meeting Mia, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting, which includes our Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs, and our Dog Walk trail. Family Pet Meet and Greets and at home interactions are also welcome and an integral part of the adoption process.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Shelter operating hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
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