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Artisan of the Month

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Fresh Water Pearl Flower Earrings by Jeanette Leonard

For the month of August, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook Village is showcasing the work of beach glass and jewelry designer Jeanette Leonard.

It is not surprising that Leonard, who grew up on the North Shore in Lloyd Harbor and now resides on the South Shore in Blue Point, has found a passion in designing jewelry from nature’s beach glass.

Hand Drilled Beach Pottery Necklace by Jeanette Leonard

A graduate of FIT, Leonard received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and focused on women’s tailoring (coats and suits) and knitwear. She spent a semester in England studying knitwear. Jeanette worked in Manhattan for ten years as a technical designer and then as a fashion designer. During this time, she would design and embellish tops for women. She frequented the bead stores and started making jewelry.

Leonard began wire-wrapping sea glass after a friend found a piece of sea glass and asked her to make a piece of jewelry for his girlfriend. After a period of trial and error, she successfully mastered the art of wire wrapping beach glass into jewelry.

“I am inspired by the ocean and the treasures found there. I find natural things most beautiful just the way they are in their natural state. To create pieces from fresh water pearl, genuine sea glass, beach pottery, shells and coral gives me an easy jumping off point for my designs. I love the colors that sea glass can be, I love the frosted look the ocean turns into, I love the iridescent luster that pearl and shells have. For me the imperfect is perfect,” she said.

Wire Wrapped Sea Glass Necklace by Jeanette Leonard

Leonard sources her beach glass and pearls form some Long Island beaches, mostly brown, white and green, but the blue and other unusual colors are purchased online. The driftwood is also from Long Island beaches and some is bought in California.

“As an artist, it means a great deal to be on display at the Reboli Center and to be the Artist of the Month!” 

Leonard is the founder of Blue Harbor Jewelry and, the Gallery Director at the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts (BAFA) in Sayville, where she arranges for artists or groups to exhibit their work each month. She also sells her jewelry at art shows.

“This is the first time that the Reboli Center is offering beach glass jewelry at the Design Shop and it is a perfect fit, as we are located on Stony Brook Harbor. Jeanette’s designs are beautiful and the pieces so exquisite, we are thrilled to exhibit her work during August,” said Lois Reboli, founder and president of the Reboli Center.

The Reboli Center for Art and History, located at 64 Main Street, Stony Brook, is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information please call 631-752-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

 

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Brian Tierney’s wooden stars

The Reboli Center’s November Artisan of the Month is St. James woodworker Brian Tierney. 

Tierney grew up in Port Jefferson and has lived in Saint James since 1972.  He was in high school the same time, but a different grade, when the late artist Joseph Reboli was a student. The two did not know one another. It was while in high school that Brian developed an interest in woodworking and a hobby turned into a career.

Brian Tierney’s wooden stars

Many of the pieces of furniture in his home have been made by Brian. They include night stands, a jelly cupboard, shelves, benches and many more items. All were made with power tools and it wasn’t until about four years ago that he mastered hand tools, and had to learn how to sharpen  chisels, planes and saws. With this new skill set, Brian learned how to make stars. At first, he created four pointed stars and then with a lot of practice was able to make stars with up to eight points.

All the stars are finished with mineral oil to bring out the grain, add a little sheen and prevent drying out. No dye or stain is used.

“I love the quietness of using only hand tools, and what I consider the artistic choices involved, like planning how many points to have, what size to make the star, and what combinations of wood to use. I look at a finished star and think, wow, I made that,” Brian said.

Brian obtains his wood from several sources and uses a variety of woods. Some pieces are reclaimed from unwanted furniture providing his with oak, sycamore, birch, and cedar, along with fir, pine, spruce and maple.  He also buys wood online, such as walnut, African mahogany, purpleheart, zebrawood and padauk, which is a west African wood. According to Brian, “All wood has unique characteristics of color, grain pattern, and hardness. Purpleheart is a beautiful color, but is over three times as hard as red oak, and dulls saws and planes blades very quickly. It doesn’t even glue well because it is so waxy.”

“It is very complimentary to have my work chosen to be displayed at the Reboli Center, a place of such good taste and style, by such talented artists and artisans,” Brian added.

Lois Reboli, a founder of the Center and president said, “As the holiday season approaches, I think Brian’s work will find a new home with many of our visitors. The stars will be a beautiful addition to one’s holiday decorations or as gifts.”

The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free,. For more information, call 631-751-7701. Please check its website at www.ReboliCenter.com for additional programs and upcoming events.

 

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Artist Keith Lewis in his studio. Photo from Reboli Center

During the month of April, the Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook will showcase the art of jeweler Keith Lewis.

Lewis was not like your average six year old. At that age, he began collecting corn silk from the family garden and bits of broken glass. He imagined them to be like gold and diamonds. Growing up in Europe and Asia, he continued to be enthralled by jewelry, so much so that at 12 years old, he learned to cut gems in South Korea at a lapidary shop and to cast and construct jewelry shortly afterwards.

Heart Earrings by Keith Lewis

Lewis studied art at several universities and graduated with a Masters of Fine Arts in Goldsmithing from SUNY New Paltz in New York. Shortly after graduation, he participated in his first craft show and hasn’t stopped. In fact, Lewis has had the opportunity to show his work in nearly every major craft exhibition in the United States. His Mica Pod earrings were chosen to be the logo for the 2010 Smithsonian Craft2Wear exhibition.

According to Lewis, his process for creating jewelry entails incorporating, “the materials, textures and surprises found in nature. I am currently using amber Mica which I layer with 23K gold-leaf, carving volcanic stone and Anthracite, which I inset with natural pearls and precious stones.

Recycled earrings by Keith Lewis

“In addition,  I create my copper finishes using a Japanese technique called Hiirodo where I heat the finished copper shape until brightly glowing, then plunge it into boiling water to achieve a plum red appearance. In what I call the ‘Raku’ version of this patina, variations in the surface coloration are created by pressing the white-hot copper onto wood, causing flames and smoke which change what would have been an even, plum red finish into more organic tan and dark brown colors. The diverse materials I work with require a combination of goldsmithing techniques to turn them into a piece of finished jewelry.” 

“At the Reboli Center, we not only admire Keith’s beautiful designs and unique materials, but also that for more than 20 years he has been donating a portion of the sales for his ‘heart’ earrings to the Family of Woodstock. This organization provides shelter and services for victims of domestic violence. At shows, buyers of ‘heart’ earrings are given a SASE to send the full cost of the earrings directly to the shelter. He truly is a gem,” said Lois Reboli, founder and president of The Reboli Center.

The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. Operating hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.  Admission is free, and for more information, call 631-751-7707.

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Hand built box by Russell Pulick
Green tea pot by Russell Pulick
Fluted vase by Russell Pulick
Jar with wenge wood cover by Russell Pulick
Russell Pulick at work

The Reboli Center of Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook is pleased to showcase the fine work of Sound Beach based potter, Russell Pulick.

“He has enthralled pottery enthusiasts for more than 40 years with his beautiful designs and craftsmanship,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center.

Russell Pulick is well-known in the craft show arena where he has been selling his pottery since 1976. His work is also sold through galleries around the country and on four continents. He was an instructor at the Art League of Long Island for 18 years, their studio manager for four years, and taught at the St. James Harbor Country Day School’s summer art program for 14 years. In 2018, he teamed up with several other potters to create The Brick Clay Studio & Gallery in St. James that offers classes, open studio hours and a gallery. He teaches beginner and advanced students there.

According to the artist, “Most of what I know about pottery, I taught myself through research and experimentation. The pots I make are all handmade. They are either ‘thrown’ on a wheel or hand built using the slab construction method. I use speckled brown stoneware clay and fire to 2232 degrees in an electric kiln. I make all the glazes and all are lead free and safe for use with food, as well as in the dishwasher. The pottery is quite durable and may be used in the microwave and conventional ovens. As with most pottery it is not meant to be used on the stove top.”

Pulick designs and creates the following items: bowls; boxes; butter dishes; cups; dip dishes; hand built trays; jars; pitchers and tea pots. He also offers kiln repair and parts, as well as glaze services. His clients include many school districts and universities throughout Long Island. “Being a potter has allowed me to set my own schedule and to be available for my family, never missing important events in my daughter’s life,” he added.

His work will be on view during the month of October. Hours for the gallery are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Admission is free. For more information, call 631-751- 7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

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Flowers are hand-painted on a bowl by Donna McGee.
Potter Donna McGee in her studio

The Reboli Center for Art & History’s September Artisan of the Month, Donna McGee, designs and creates one-of-a-kind functional and decorative pieces in stoneware and earthenware, and puts her signature mark on each piece with her original drawings of fields, flowers, farm life and faces.

“Her unique vases, bowls, pots and platters often feature scenes from the views outside of her studio windows. The Reboli Center is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the pottery of Donna McGee, whose work is so distinctive and appealing,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center.

For most of her life, Donna has focused on art. Since her youth she has been a frequent visitor to museums and galleries, than first as an artist and now as a potter. She studied art at Southern Illinois University and has a Bachelor’s of Science in Re-creation, Art and Society. In her twenties, she went to Europe and studied clay at the Jacob Cramer Centre for the Arts in Leeds, Yorkshire, England.

According to Donna, “I took one class in pottery in college and hated it. A couple of years later, I took another class and decided that this was what I wanted to do. I am mostly self-taught and have always had confidence in my drawings and creativity – that is what propels me. I make pieces that are both functional, as well as decorative, because I am a realist and want my work to be used.”

Once she calculated that she made about 1000 pots per year. While her work is her own, she does take some commissions.  Her process involves making the item either wheel thrown or slab built, and then painting the background color on it while the clay is still wet. After the first firing, she paints the details, applies a transparent glaze, and fires the piece again. “My work is known for its variety of drawings and paintings,” she added.

Donna McGee’s work is on display during the month of September and admission to the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook is free. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, please visit the Center’s website at www.rebolicenter.org or call 631-751-7707.

 

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Laura Wilensky working in clay
Cat Mug by Laura Wilensky
Pet Urn by Laura Wilensky
Pug by Laura Wilensky
Spoon Dogs by Laura Wilensky

The Reboli Center of Art and History is pleased to feature renowned ceramist, Laura Wilensky, as its Artisan for the month of August. “I first saw her work 40 years ago at the Rhinebeck Craft Fair and bought a couple of pieces. She makes hand sculpted portraits of people and/or cats and dogs or other pets in porcelain or white clay. Each piece is very detailed and intricate and for commissions they are beautifully personalized,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center, and who recently had an urn made for her beloved dog, Maddie, who passed away. Wilensky’s pieces are one-of-a-kind and others are made from molds and are limited editions.

After graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 1973 with a Bachelors in Fine Arts specializing in ceramics, Laura Wilensky became a full-time ceramist. While in college she created her “spoon” figurines and became known as the “spoon lady.” She was very fortunate that her spoons were exhibited at the well-known Fairtree Gallery in Manhattan, where they were sold to gallery customers at a great success. “Several clients started to collect my spoons and one woman has over 70 spoons which she displays on her wall in the bedroom,” recalled the artist who lives in Kingston, NY.  The spoon figurines are all made by hand and very fragile. Consequently, she no longer makes them, and has only three left: an ice skater, a man in his pajamas and woman in a nightgown with her hair curlers.

According to Wilensky, “My narrative porcelains have appeared in many publications, including: Teapots, Makers & Collectors; 500 Figures in Clay: Ceramic Artists Celebrate the Human Form; Smithsonian Magazine; and the New York Times. My works have been exhibited at the New York State Museum, American Crafts Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.” The artist’s ceramics can be found in the homes of many private collectors. In fact, she designed and produced “Sleepytime” tea sets for Celestial Seasoning Tea Company. For a while, she made numerous tea pots and sets and some belong to serious collectors including a collection at Celestial Seasoning Tea Company at its headquarters in Boulder, CO.

Early in her career, Wilensky sold her creations at craft fairs in upstate New York and in Baltimore. She noted that her characters were more “cartoonish” and now the figures are realistic portraits of people and pets that she creates from photos, or fashioned as functional items such as mugs, bowls, vases and plates. “I enjoy working with people and making their request for a ceramic portrait come true. I am especially heartened as many customers are deeply moved by the final product,” she added.

The Reboli Center for Art & History is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, NY. It is free and open to the public from Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until 5pm and on Sunday from 1pm – 5pm. Laura Wilensky’s ceramics are on display and available for sale at the Center’s Design Shop. They will also accept and process custom orders from interested individuals. For more information, please visit their website at www.rebolicenter.org or call 631-757-7707.

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Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta 1949 LM Winner (Red 22)

Since he was a child, Marshall Buck has been fascinated with miniatures, especially cars. His special focus is in the creation of small scale models of classic, exotic automobiles.  This interest was nurtured by family friends who would visit while driving the latest models of Aston Martin, Lancia, Rolls Royce, etc.

Marshall Buck working on one his models.

“Marshall’s miniature models bring another dimension to the Reboli’s current exhibit, “Shifting Gears,” which highlights automobiles, by showcasing his precise and exceptionally detailed works of art to our visitors,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of The Reboli Center. “The artistry and functionality of his models are amazing,” she added.

Marshall founded CMA Models in 1982 with the goal of providing serious collectors a combination of services at one venue. He offers the finest detailed custom built-to-order models in various scales, which he personally builds or are built by another highly trained craftsmen under his direction. CMA Models produces its own line of extremely limited edition of hand built model cars and kits. Marshall represents other similar artisans and serves as a broker and seller for one-of-a kind models. In addition, he has curated model shows for museums.

Ferrari 166 MM Rolling Chassis (Black)

According to Marshall, “I am passionate about automobiles and the work that I do; and this work is certainly as demanding, and sometimes more so than a complete restoration of any full-size car.” A wide variety of his models is on display at the Reboli Center throughout the month of July.

The Reboli Center for Art & History is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. The gallery is open Tuesday  to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more informationt, call 631- 751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

Photos courtesy of the Reboli Center.

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1962 GTO

The Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook is beaming with excitement to announce its June Artisan of the Month … Nelson Medina! Medina, who hails from the Bronx, is well known in the automobile industry nationwide for his meticulous hand crafted, pinstriping work and is now becoming more recognized for his incredibly detailed and expressive oil and acrylic paintings on canvas.

1957 Ferrari Testarossa

According to Medina, “I grew up in one of the most eventful cities in the world when the automobile industry was exploding with beautiful and powerful vehicles … a very cool period to have experienced. It was the summer of 1964 and I was 11 years old. I witnessed a gentleman pinstriping while on a night out with my parents … we stopped for maybe 15 minutes at the most … it was so impressive … the rest is history.”

Medina explained to the Reboli Center’s staff that, “All my talent comes from my Dad who was a true master sculptor in the field of wax for the jewelry trade. I always knew that I held a penchant for creativity and through time, dedication and determination, I’ve come to understand how to unite my body with my soul so they may perform as one doing what I love … this art form has allowed me the ability to express myself in many arenas… creating with color, balance and flavor.”

He also shared with us about a car accident that he experienced a few years ago. It was after this accident that he learned to develop an intense and inspiring love for his work on canvas. Painting quickly became Medina’s mistress.

1957 Ferrari 625

Thankfully, over time, he has developed a harmonious dance between designing, painting and pinstriping. Needless to say the Reboli Center is so very honored to have Nelson’s work featured in its gallery and also to have his help in the planning and execution of their current exhibition, Shifting Gears, and its related events. Medina’s work will be on display at the Reboli Center until July 18. You can also meet the artist by attending one of the Center”s Sunday Car Shows. 

The Reboli Center, 64 Main Street Stony Brook is free, and open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.   For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Center at 631-751-7707.

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Original and restored 1928 BMW motorcycles on display at The Reboli Center.
Collector Peter Nettesheim and his daughter, Kate, with their BMW motorcycles

The Reboli Center for Art & History is keeping on track with its current exhibit, Shifting Gears, which focuses on the “art” of transportation by selecting Peter Nettesheim as its Artisan for the Month of May. Nettesheim was chosen because the exhibit features both an original 1928 BMW motorcycle and a refurbished one from his private collection, and he is known for his extraordinary collection and knowledge, said Lois Reboli and BJ Intini, founders of the Reboli Center.

Collecting and restoring cars runs in his family. His father was a Mercedes Benz collector, which spurred Peter’s interest in collecting, but he took a different route by going with BMW motorcycles and cars as he thought the Mercedes was more of an old man’s car and the BMW sportier. Peter bought his first bike in 1979, and he has since created the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles. According to Peter, he has virtually every regular production model from 1923 through 1970 and another 35 or so of them after that date. He has now amassed a collection of more than 120 BMW cycles, including 10 cars.  His passion is to collect and refurbish old and classic BMW motorcycles and cars. He has about 90 that are in perfect running condition. His massive collection of bikes, cars, artifacts and BMW memorabilia are displayed in a museum at his home in Huntington.

Musician and motorcycle enthusiast Billy Joel at the Nettesheim Museum

Peter Nettesheim and his collection are well known throughout the world and both are highly respected by those in the industry. Celebrities and motorcycle enthusiasts like Billy Joel, Jay Leno, Ryan Reynolds and Lyle Lovett have visited his home/museum. The Nettesheim Museum is only open by prior arrangement, and if you have any questions regarding the history of the BMW brand, please contact Peter Nettesheim at [email protected]

Located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, The Reboli Center is free, and open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Center at 631-751-7707.

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The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main Street, Stony Brook is pleased to name Janet Zug as its artisan of the month for April. “I discovered Janet while looking for some handmade glass for the Design Shop.  I searched the internet and found several glass blowers, but I loved her pieces and contacted her. Janet agreed to sell her work at the Center, and we have done very well with her beautiful creations,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center and wife of the late artist, Joseph Reboli.

• Janet Zug at work in in her studio

Janet started blowing glass in 1990. She answered an ad in the local newspaper for a glass blower apprentice and no experience was necessary. The position was with Simon Pearce, a famous glass production studio in Vermont. She got the job and after five days, fell in love with the art of glass blowing. When she was done for the day, she was allowed to work on her own designs. In 1992, she founded her own business and rented space from other studios to make her creations. In 2004, she installed her own hot shop at her studio in Vermont, where she lives.

According to Janet, “I am inspired by function and beauty. A piece should be useful and pretty, such as my hanging vases. I love making drinking glasses as you can use them, enjoy them, wash them and they are so personal. There are so many things I love about glassblowing. First there’s the hot stuff itself, what a crazy medium to play with! Then there’s the challenge of executing high quality work from this pot of hot goo. I never get tired of it because it’s always changing. Blowing glass is the best part, of course, but being a productive business person is equally as important as designing work that I am proud of.”

Janet Zug’s drinking glasses

Her studio is open on Saturdays from Thanksgiving until Christmas and visitors can take a class, where she will help someone make a piece. For more information, visit her website at www.zugglassblower.com

Janet Zug’s hand-blown glass is for sale in the Reboli Center’s Design Shop. The Center is  open Tuesday – Saturday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Lois Reboli, president of the Reboli Center, noted that, “The Center is adhering to CDC, New York State and Suffolk County coronavirus guidelines, which limits the number of attendees at one time and requires all visitors to wear a mask and socially distance. Please be assured that staff and volunteers will wear masks, and do continuous cleaning and sanitizing.

For more information, call 631-751-7707.

 

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