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Gallery North

By Steven Zaitz

Gallery North held its 21st annual Wet Paint Festival June 7 and 8 at the Merritt Hawkins Homestead and Nassakeag Elementary School grounds in Setauket. Area artists painted in the genre known as “plein air” — a French term that translates to “open air” and refers to the practice of painting outdoors, capturing scenes directly from nature.

While artists young, old and in-between were scattered across the wooded grounds, other visitors took part in guided tours and listened to The Fox Hill Chamber Music Consortium and blues artist Kane Daily, while enjoying food and children’s activities. 

History and nature tours were given throughout the weekend.

Loretta Oberheim, originally from Ronkonkoma and known for her three-dimensional art and rug design, was one of the tour guides at the Wet Paint Festival.

“I think the nice thing about these types of events is the true human connection,” Oberheim said. “You’re able to see what other artists are actually up to in person and not just from a social media feed. It’s very communal and all the artists will stop, walk around and check out each other’s pieces and talk about art. That’s why festivals like this are so important.”

For more information visit the gallery’s website: www.gallerynorth.org.

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. 

Legislator Steve Englebright, right, presents a check to Port Jefferson Historical Society Board members, from left to right, Joan Townley, Laura Warren and Nick Acampora. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) recently presented checks to representatives from various cultural organizations in his district to help them fund future projects.

“A genuine love for community has always been a driving factor in my work,” Englebright said. “Recently, I showcased my appreciation and support for several of our district’s most beloved cultural and arts organizations through Suffolk County Omnibus Grants.”

Legislator Englebright, center, presents a check to Three Village Community Trust board members, from left to right, Robert Reuter, Greg de Bruin, Peter Legakis and Herb Mones. Photo from Legislator Englebright’s office

During Legislator Englebright’s tenure as a New York State Assemblyman, he was the Prime Sponsor of legislation that led to what is commonly referred to as the hotel-motel room fee. The intention behind this initiative that is essentially a tax on people who live outside of our county, including many from other countries was to help generate funds that would enable Suffolk County Legislators to support the Long Island tourism industry through grants for programs for the arts, music, and history. The Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning administers the awards.

“This year, I experienced numerous full-circle moments as I was pleased to be able to award numerous community cultural organizations with funding that will help support important programs that our part of the county has become known for, such as the Gallery North Wet Paint Festival, the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce’s and Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s summer concert series, and the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council’s annual Dickens Festival,” the legislator said.

Several local galleries, music venues and museums were also granted awards, such as The Reboli Center for Art and History, The Jazz Loft, and the Long Island Museum.

“In total, I was able to provide room fee-derived funds amounting to more than $150,000 to 15 local organizations which, in turn, will help nurture a vibrant scene for lovers of art, music, and history while stimulating our local economy through tourism and leisure travel,” Englebright said.

The Fifth Legislative District’s grant recipients are The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, Gallery North, Theatre Three, The Reboli Center, The Jazz Loft, The Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce, The Frank Melville Memorial Foundation, The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, The Three Village Historical Society, The Long Island Museum, The Port Jefferson Historical Society, The Children’s Maritime Museum (Long Island Explorium), The Three Village Community Trust, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization and The Village of Port Jefferson.

'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.

 

'Trumpets' by Lori Horowitz

Fragile ecosystems will be on view as Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket presents Lori Horowitz: Undergrowth, from April 3 to May 11.

Undergrowth is Lori Horowitz’s first solo exhibition at Gallery North. The exhibition features mixed media sculptures, reliefs, and photographs. Larger than life carnivorous pitcher plants erupt from a frame immersing the viewer in a unique perspective.

‘Saracenia study 1’ by Lori Horowitz

Inspired by the study of the pristine and precious environment surrounding her family home, Horowitz explores the cycles of nature and the social complexities that threaten the delicate balance. Her works transform photographs into three dimensional compositions in a physically demanding sculptural process that mirrors the competing natural and man- made forces of growth and decay. The resulting botanical and organic forms reflect the often-hidden discourse encompassing the literal and symbolic dangers that threaten a fragile ecosystem. Viewers are invited to explore their connection to nature and the impact of its survival on humanity.

Lori Horowitz is a New York based artist. In addition to her studio art practice, Horowitz has worked as an arts educator, scenic designer, curator and gallerist. Each role has brought new perspectives to the development of her work. Horowitz serves on the Board of Directors for the NY Society of Women Artists and Long Island Craft Guild. Her work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout the region.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, April 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will host an ArTalk on Sunday, April 27 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Additional programming will include “Bringing the Woodland Home: Shade Gardening with Native Plants” a presentation by Kimberly Simmen of KMS Gardens on Sunday, April 13 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The exhibition, reception, ArTalk and presentation will be free and open to the public.

This exhibition is generously sponsored the Field Family, Pet ER 24/7, 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.

'Turn Around' by Edward Acosta

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. 

‘United in Division’ by Edward Acosta

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.

'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. 

By Tara Mae

The holidays are a time to celebrate community, both big and small. Local holiday markets abound with opportunities for festive fun and merry memories in the making. 

Whether singular excursions or weeks-long endeavors, these holiday affairs are designed to foster a jovial mood. More than just shopping sites, they enable attendees to forge new traditions as they support local craftspeople and discover one-of-a-kind items. 

Upcoming celebrations include the Holiday Market Wonderland at the Reboli Center in Stony Brook, Winter Holiday Market at Setauket Neighborhood House, and Holiday Gift Bazaar at Gallery North in Setauket, Station Yards Ronkonkoma’s Holiday Market and Holiday Markets of the Huntington Holiday Spectacular.

Set up in a large heated tent behind the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook and organized by Tracey Balaker of Freebird Events, the third annual Holiday Night Market Wonderland will be held on Saturday, November 30, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Reboli’s gallery and gift shop, which normally close at 5 p.m., will stay open for the duration of the occasion.

“I am excited to bring this event to the Reboli Center, right in the heart of magical Stony Brook Village; it is such a great location. I was trying to create a Bryant Park village, Christmas market feel — everyone comes dressed and adorns their spaces with lights,” said Balaker. 

Approximately 55 vendors — both inside and outside the tent — will offer items such as baked goods, handmade crafts, unique gifts, and clothing. A food stand will provide sweet treats, including cider and hot chocolate, for visitors to  enjoy as they are serenaded by carolers, the Celestial Singers. Frosty the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man, and other holiday characters will make cameo appearances, and a pony from Peaches Pony Parties will be decked out as a reindeer and pose for photo opportunities. 

“Everyone who has come to it the past few years says it feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie,” said Balaker. 

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From a film scene to a historic setting, Three Village Historical Society’s (TVHS) fourth annual Winter Holiday Market will take place at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St., Setauket on Sunday, December 1, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Displaying an array of evergreen accent pieces, edible artistry, and artisanal craftsmanship, 32 vendors will be situated throughout the building and on the porch. 

“We have stunning greenery displays and floral arrangements, New York cheese, balsamic glazes, local honey, decorated cookies, delicious baked goods, spices and seasonings and soups, farm fresh preserves, and a brand new distillery with a Culper Spy theme,” said TVHS Community Engagement Manager Kimberly Phyfe. 

Other participants will be offering their artisanal products: jewelry, soaps, candles, pottery, knitwear, clothing, personalized drinkware, and artwork. TVHS will likewise have a pop-up gift shop with trinkets, books, and other selections from its inventory. 

“We are so looking forward to giving our guests a place to shop small & support local,” Phyfe said. 

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Located at 90 North Country Road in Setauket, Gallery’s North’s fourth annual Holiday Gift Bazaar is another celebration of communal appreciation as well as artistic expression. On Saturday, December 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., it will highlight the work of 12 artists displaying their jewelry, ceramics, wood craft, fiber art, candles, and printmaking. 

“The Gallery North Holiday Gift Bazaar is a special indoor holiday gift market that provides an alternative to online and department store shopping. Artists will display their work on tables in both the Gallery and the Studio,” Gallery North Director of Development Erin Smith said. 

Patrons will also be able to choose works from the gallery’s current exhibition, Deck the Halls, and choose from an array of handmade, local goods in its gift shop. Level Up Kitchen will be onsite, selling food and drinks. 

“The Bazaar is an excellent opportunity to support local artists and businesses,” Smith said. 

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The newly opened Station Yards at 3 Hawkins Avenue in Ronkonkoma and the Holiday Markets of the Huntington Holiday Spectacular will give audiences multiple chances to embrace the joyful camaraderie of the season. 

On Saturdays, November 30 to December 21, from noon to 4 p.m., Station Yards will premiere its first Holiday Market around the Village Green. Shop from a curated selection of local vendors and artisans, offering unique gifts, handmade goods, and seasonal treats—perfect for holiday gifting.

Available every Friday and Sunday in December, from noon to 5 p.m., except Friday, December 6, when it turns into a night market from 5 to 9 p.m., the Holiday Markets along Wall Street in Huntington will be multi-sensory spectacles presenting a collection of shopping and social conveniences. 

At the heart of these five holiday markets is the enticement of strengthening existing  human connections and forging new ones while promoting common interests. 

“When your holiday gifts come from small business owners and local vendors, the money stays within the neighborhood. It’s more than purchasing the perfect present, it’s building up our own community,” Phyfe said. 

'Journey' by Markee Sullivan will be on view from Nov. 14 to Dec. 21.

In perfect tandem with the season of giving, Gallery North in Setauket presents Deck the Halls, its annual group exhibition of small original works for the holidays, from Nov. 14 to Dec. 21. The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 pm. 

Enjoy artworks by over 50 local and regional artists in a range of media, including painting, printmaking, works on paper, sculpture, glassware, and more. 

The exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to support local artists, and features a diverse selection of affordable, exciting, original artworks for everyone on your list. 

In addition, Gallery North also features a large assortment of artisan-created jewelry, handmade crafts, and decorations within the Shop at Gallery North, as well as clothing and artist-made greeting cards produced in the Studio at Gallery North. They also offer the gift of an art class or workshop to an aspiring artist, child, or adult. 

As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will also host a Holiday Gift Bazaar inside the Gallery and the Studio on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The purpose of the Holiday Gift Bazaar is to provide the community with a way to “buy local” this holiday season instead of shopping in malls and shopping centers. 

The Holiday Gift Bazaar will offer an excellent opportunity to support local artists and businesses, complete with warm beverages and treats from LevelUp Kitchen.

Shoppers will find a diverse selection of affordable, exciting, original paintings, prints, photography, ceramics, pottery, woodwork, glassware, artisan created jewelry, handmade crafts, decorations, and clothing — perfect gifts for everyone on your list. ‘Tis the season to shop local!

The Deck the Halls exhibition is generously sponsored by WFC Architects, The Field Family, Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Planning and Development, and Jefferson’s Ferry. 

Located at 90 North Country Road in Setauket, Gallery North is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

Up next for Gallery North , 90 North Country Road, Setauket is a solo exhibit titled Scott McIntire: Energyscapes. The show opens on Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 29.  

The exhibition features large, medium, and small paintings and sculptures. 

McIntire constructs dynamic compositions in enamel which form a repository of information. Each vessel of data includes the sounds, smells, forces, electromagnetic and thermal energies that make up the environment. Each space seamlessly merges natural and man-made artifacts. 

McIntire uses his mastery of the optical properties of color to create the illusion of movement and vibration. Dazzling patterns and vivid concentric circles combine to form a dramatic Op Art world in which references to flora and fauna ground the work in a reality just out of sight from the human eye.

Born and raised in the fertile Willamette Valley in Oregon, McIntire’s artistic perception is rooted in his love of nature. At the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, McIntire studied color under the master colorist Albert King, giving him a lifelong understanding and love of color. McIntire is currently based in Greenport. His work has been exhibited both nationally and regionally including the Nassau County Museum of Art.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As a complement to the exhibition, Gallery North will host an ArTalk on Sunday, August 25, 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 Jefferson’s Ferry, and Suffolk County’s Department of Economic Development and Planning.