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Gallery North

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. 

'Swallowtail' by Lorena Salcedo-Watson will be on view at Gallery North through Aug. 11. Image courtesy of Gallery North

By Tara Mae

So much of nature exists in the balance of tension and release: the unrelentingly gray palette of winter gives way to the expansive vibrancy of spring blooms; birds sit on their nests for weeks in the hopes that their young will be strong enough to crack through their shells; and, people dare to dream of brighter tomorrows.

Morpholgies: Recent Works by Lorena Salcedo-Watson, on view at Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setauket from June 27 to Aug. 11, explores this interplay. Featuring 30 pieces including large-scale charcoal and pastel drawings, lithographs, and first drafts, the exhibit is a meditation on how the environment and nature merge with human experience.

‘Let It Go’ by Lorena Salcedo-Watson

“Having her do a solo exhibit here has been a goal for a while…This exhibit examines our symbiotic relationship with nature, our reliance on it, how we communicate with it,” said Gallery North Curator Kate Schwarting who met Salcedo-Watson while a student at Stony Brook University, where the artist is an art professor. 

Many pieces implement chiaroscuro —contrast between shadow and light — as a means by which to address ideas about the tenacity of life, the inevitability of death, and the determination of survival.

“Working in chiaroscuro — I want the drama, sense of falling into a black hole, you can stick your hand in there; I don’t want you to think in pretty terms — [do] not want color to add any other information. So, color is used to evoke mood in really specific moments,” Salcedo-Watson said.

Elements of color are deliberate contrasts; audacious vibrancy in stark relief. The art’s openness represents the vastness of the outdoors. “The abstract world she creates in her work is very singular; it is a celebration of beauty, nature, and curiosity,” Schwarting said. “The language Lorena creates with her art invokes organisms and structures that inhabit a totally unique space.”

It speaks to an understated grandeur that commands attention as it revels in the more abstract details of an exact image. For Salcedo-Watson, artistic scope and medium reflect the majesty of her subject matter. 

“Large scale gives you a sense of magnitude and awe. There have to be awesome things in your life. I encourage students to work large — it is liberating — keeping your drawing restricted to your wrist can be kind of sad since your experiences are life sized or larger,” she added.

Working in this manner enables Salcedo-Watson to create her own domain, in which she can guide and develop the narrative as she tracks its evolution. 

“I have always loved to draw, which is necessary to be a good printmaker. Lithography is a natural way of drawing, but you have multiples prints from the matrix, which allows you to see how you function as a problem solver. You have a record of your progress the whole way through,” Salcedo-Watson said.

The exhibit illuminates this process while also immersing its patrons in Salcedo-Watson’s interpretation of how nature nurtures. Her work is an invitation to envelop oneself in the wonder of the world while remaining rooted in realism.

“I always draw from observation, take what’s interesting to me, and play around with that,” she said. 

A longtime collector, Morpholgies features items from the artist’s cabinet of curiosities that have inspired her such as leaf fossils and root formations unearthed while gardening; insect exoskeletons gifted by friends; and other found objects that influence Salcedo-Watson’s work. 

Her fascination with nature’s detritus and remnants began at an early age and inspired her artistic practice.   

“I started drawing insects because the possibilities were huge with different varieties, but I also made stuff up and it was okay,” Salcedo-Watson said. “Not feeling like you have to follow the rules or always be accurate gave me permission to enjoy it more.”

Likewise, freedom of thought is what she seeks to convey to her audience. The ability to invoke the imagination is an ultimate endeavor of her art. 

“It’s not what I am trying to show you; it is what you think you are getting out of it. I try to put things forward and make you make sense of it. I could have a title to prompt you that this is what I am thinking about, but I want to actually engage you and make you think,” Salcedo-Watson said.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, June 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. Salcedo-Watson will give an ArTalk and Print Demonstration on Saturday, July 20, from 3 to 5 p.m. These events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 631-751-2676 or visit www.gallerynorth.org.

By Katherine Kelton

For the 20th year, Gallery North of Setauket, held its Wet Paint Festival at the Tyler Homestead, located on Main Street in Setauket, on June 1‒2. The festival attracted 70 artists who set up in areas around the homestead, including Frank Melville Memorial Park, Patriots Rock, the Caroline Church, Emma Clark Public Library, the Factory Worker Houses, the Red Barn and the Setauket Green. The different scenery resulted in greatly varying works of art. Admission to the festival was free to all those who wanted to observe artists, eat good food and listen to music.

One artist, Christie Jones, from Patchogue, stated, “Most of my work is inspired by nature, so to be actually immersed in it enhances the work.” She has been painting plein air for a while, and the weekend event was the first time she was able to do it with an audience. Jones invited friends and family and welcomed feedback on her work, stating, “I enjoy chatting with people about my work and I know that everyone who’s talked with me has said I’m the only artist to work without an easel. So that has been interesting to hear.”

The goal of the festival was to showcase plein air art. As Ned Puchner, executive director of Gallery North, characterized, “It’s outdoor painting. It is artists working on-site doing landscape or outdoor subject matter paintings. Plein air means plain air.” He wanted to attract anyone interested in art and history to explore the area and see something unique.

The work created during the festival will also be displayed at the Reboli Center for Art & History on Main Street in Stony Brook from June 25 to July 7 in its own exhibition. 

Artist Debbie Foglia had previously worked closely with Joe Reboli before his passing. She shared her emotional story about her connection to Frank Melville Memorial Park, where she elected to paint. “I grew up in the area. When I was a teenager, I took lessons with Joe Reboli, and this was one of the places that we painted.” For her, the day meant not only enjoying nature and painting with an audience but also reminiscing on the memories she made with the famous painter.

Gallery North, a not-for-profit organization, aims to promote fine local art.

The Tyler Homestead, where much of the festival occurred, is owned by the Three Village Community Trust, which promises to “protect the places you love.” While the food, tents and check-in were stationed there, people surrounded the home with easels to capture its “American farmhouse” style, which is why it gained popularity. The trust also provided tours of Patriots Rock and explained the significance of Setauket in America’s fight for independence.

Gallery North also partnered with Level Up Kitchen, which catered the event, and WUSB 90.1 FM/107.3 FM for live music.

Many artists, if not the majority, set up in Frank Melville Memorial Park for the picturesque views of the water and trees. The weather attracted many people to come and stroll the park while watching professional artists create work in real time. With the local roads lined with cars for the entirety of the event, it was a clear success for Gallery North.