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Huntington Arts Council

Just in time for Halloween, the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery will present its 13th annual student exhibition, Nightmare on Main Street, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 9.

According to HAC’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson, this year’s call to student artists in grades 6 to 12 expanded to new districts across both Nassau and Suffolk counties, resulting in submissions from 19 individual schools. 

Each year the Nightmare on Main Street theme takes a different twist. Juror Candido Crespo inspired the students with the following thought-provoking statement.

“Art is a bridge, where cultural symbols dance between the vibrant hues of joy and the chilling shadows of fear. It reveals the soul of a society. Through its forms, we see celebrations of festivals painted in jubilant colors, yet whispers of anxieties told through stories molded by mythology or etched in ancient monuments. … Using the medium of your choice, create a work that exemplifies your culture as a vibrant tapestry. This tapestry should reflect the joys, fears, and traditions that make your community unique.”

Of the 147 pieces submitted by 103 students, Candido chose 47 pieces to be featured in this year’s show. 

“I’m truly honored to have reviewed such exceptional submissions. All the young artists are incredibly talented and have promising futures. The selected works showcase a remarkable combination of skill, effort, and compelling narratives. I eagerly anticipate seeing the exhibition,” he said.

Exhibiting artists include Maxwell Asadourian, Ava Beck, Isabella Bermudez, Eden Bonamassa, Gwen Carfora, Audrey Chen, Jacqueline Chen, Yijia Chen, Maggie Deegan, Shawn Delcasse, Daniela DeLillo, Grace Deng, Pavithra Eswar, Iiyah Fearrington, Madeline Francis, Divya Ganshani, Rebecca Gillon, Alice Hammerquist, Henry Hartmann, Khushpreet Kaur, Yitong Ke, Zahra Khan, Hannah Lee, Wandaly Leo Perez, Caitlin Liu, Liam McGrory-Luikart, Melanie Mejia, Kaitlin Melling, Eva Mena, Amanda Morales, Christopher Murray, Taylor Nappi, Karin Pan, Lillian Pu, Toni Reyes-Sorto, Deanna Santos, Corey Shack, Grace Schoonmaker, Mickayla Sharkey, Kyla Simms, Alivia Stephenson, Maxine Tian, Leah Trope, Thomas Wasylyshyn, Emma Wilck and Sophia Wolinetz. 

The remaining 100 pieces of artwork will be featured in the online gallery at www.huntingtonarts.org.

Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends TBD. For more information, call 631-271-8423.

Fill your summer evenings with rock, country, jazz, classical, and gospel music, dance performances, cover band greats, and theatrical productions, all at the 59th annual Huntington Summer Arts Festival at Heckscher Park in Huntington. 

Opening on June 21, the 10-week festival runs through August 24. With well over 40 FREE, live performances, some never before seen on the Chapin Rainbow Stage, there is something for the whole family with Broadway stars, national and local talent, inspiring young performers and more.

Produced by the Town of Huntington, and presented by Huntington Arts Council, the events are held Wednesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and  Sundays at 7 p.m. Grab your chair and head down for an unrivaled good time with friends and family!

June

June 21:  Rodgers and Hammerstein’s A Grand Night For Singing by Plaza Theatrical Productions

June 22: Lez Zeppelin

June 23: Vance Gilbert

June 27: Huntington Men’s Chorus

June 28: The Oyster Bay Music Festival When Nature Calls” OBMF has Got2Go! 

June 29: The Bob Band

June 30: The Spirit of Huntington Art Center’s ArtABILITY Tour 24’

July

July 3: The Huntington Community Band presents Spirit of America 

July 5: An Evening with Brooke Moriber featuring Lauren Davidson

July 6: EastLine Theater presents Hamlet 

July 7:  Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra

July 10: The Huntington Community

Band  presents Music of Stage and Screen

July 11: The Swing Sessions presented by

Dudley Music, Part 1

July 12: That 70’s band, Harold Melvin’s

Blue Notes, The Trammps present 70’s in

the Park

July 13: Little Wilson Band

July 14: Tovah Feldshuh in Aging is 

Optional (‘Cause G-d I Hope It Is!)

July 17: The Huntington Community Band 

July 18: Albums We Love performing

Born in the USA (40th Anniversary)

July 19: Sol y Sombra presents El Ritmo

July 20: Dan + Claudia Zanes with 

Tyree Austin

July 21: Just Wild About Harry tribute concert

July 24: The Huntington Community

Band  presents A Musicians Inspiration

with a pre-Concert performance by the

HCB Brass Ensemble at 7 p.m.

July 25: The Swing Sessions presented by 

Dudley Music, Part 2

July 26: Ally Venable 

July 27: The Clusters

July 28: Damien Sneed

July 31: The Huntington Community Band 

August

August 1:  FUMOS

August 2: Dominic Carbone “The New

Blue Eyes” Sinatra in the Park

August 3: The Men of Soul (FKA The 

Gentlemen of Soul)

August 4: Long Island Dance Consortium

August 7:  Sarah Gross and The Belle

 Curves featuring Allie Sandt

August 8: The Swing Sessions presented 

by Dudley Music, Part 3

August 9: School of Rock

August 10: Tito Rodriguez Jr. Orchestra

August 11: Joe D’Urso/Stone Caravan 

with special Guest Adam Ezra Group

August 14: NYC Ska Orchestra

August 15: D’Addario 

August 16: Horns at Heckscher presents

Make Me Smile, A tribute to Chicago

August 17: Eglevsky Ballet

August 18: School of Rock

August 21: Hillary Gardner & Lonesome

Pines featuring The Northfolk Band

August 22: Mahanaim School of Music

August 23: Rob Eberle & Iridesense 

August 24: Face To Face

Heckscher Park is located at 2 Prime Ave.,  Huntington. For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

And there’s even more!

In conjuction with the Huntington Summer Arts Festival, the Northport Community Band will present free concerts at the Robert W. Krueger Bandshell at Northport Village Park on select Thursdays this summer starting at 8:30 p.m. In the case of rain, the concert will be held at  Northport High School.

July 4: Families and Flags on the Fourth!

July 11: Comedy Tonight

July 18: Long Ago and Far Away

July 25: Blues in the Night

August 1: Cannons and Kids

 

Public officials from the Town of Huntington celebrate new downtown revitalization stimulus funds for local communities. Photo from Stephanie Bontempi’s office. Photo from Leg. Bontempi's office

On October 31, at Heckscher Park, Legislator Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) joined with her colleagues in government to announce the local recipients of the Suffolk County JumpStart and JumpSMART grant programs.  Combined, these two programs are focused on stimulating downtown revitalization, economic activity (especially tourism) and the arts.

The organizations and/or projects receiving the funds are: Huntington downtown parking and waterfront improvements ($1.25 million –JumpStart); Greenlawn downtown streetscape improvements ($650,000 JumpStart); 1653 Foundation – Artists Alley in Huntington downtown ($250,000); Heckscher Museum of Art – development of an outdoor café on the terrace of the museum ($100,000); Huntington African American Museum ($500,000); Huntington Arts Council – door and window replacement and ADA upgrades ($157,000); Huntington Cultural Affairs Institute – Chapin Stage ($170,000); Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society – electric hookup for overnight guests and humidity control ($100,000); YMCA of Long Island – Huntington ($500,000); and The Whaling Museum and Education Center – expansion of museum ($300,000).

“This is an exciting time to be in the Town of Huntington,” said Bontempi.  “All of these projects will add so much to not only our local economy, but our enjoyment of our community.  This will also attract visitors from near and far. Huntington is a special place.”

The spookiest month of the year signals the return of the Huntington Arts Council’s (HAC) highly popular annual student exhibition, Nightmare on Main Street, a Halloween-inspired juried art exhibit for Nassau and Suffolk County students in grades 6 to 12. The show opened on Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 12. 

This year’s juror, Holly Hunt, asked students to interpret and represent the concept of fear in their artwork.

“As a professional photographer who regularly submits to art calls and attends gallery shows, I was beyond impressed by the 224 submissions that showcased not only fresh ideas, but a true understanding, yet a broad interpretation of the theme that I presented of fear. The level of skill and sophistication I experienced as I viewed the submissions was mind-blowing,” said Hunt.

She continued, “I had my hands full as I culled through this diverse collection of artwork, not only because of the number of submissions, but I had to balance many factors in my choices; innovation, subject matter, interpretation of the theme, and more, but most importantly, originality — which I know in this day and age is an accomplishment in itself. Many pieces stopped me in my tracks, some at times eliciting an audible ‘wow!'”

Hunt ultimately chose 58 pieces to be featured at the Main Street Gallery.

Congratulations to  the following students: Alyana Abreu, Ava Beck, Ameila Bhario, Eden Bonamassa, Cassidy Conkiln, Lindsay Connolly, Carly Corcoran, Ava Coco, Emily Dahl, Clare DeSario, Maya Flam, Lily Fu, Divya Ganshani, Sarah-Kate Giarrizzo, Juliet Granz, Matthew Holcombe, Alyssa Huang, Soraya Jabir, Emma Jacob, Jada Joseph, Kashish Kochar, Samantha Koepele, Jayla Koster, Mattie Krakoff, Olivia Lanci, Abigail Laureta, Molly Lebolt, Rachel Learned, Kendra Saint Louis, Chamille Malcolm, Giselle Marquez, Isabella Mascetti, Mairead Matthews,Emily Miccio, Kaylee Neems, Sulayman Noori, Lily Orjiako, Jillian Ostrow, Samantha Peace, Alexis Rabinovich, Reece Rene, Marianna Rountos, Ava Sarrocco, Abby Schiff, Grace Schoonmaker, Keira Searson, Mickayla Sharkey, Xavier Tian, Jessica Wang, Warren Wei, Amanda Weng, Scarlett Willems, Lilly Zarmehrbakhsh, and Christina Zhong. 

The additional 110 pieces of student art work that was submitted will be featured on the HAC’s website.

“In it’s 12th year, Nightmare on Main Street represents not only one of our most popular exhibitions, but an incredibly rewarding one as well. The Halloween theme, regardless of how it is interpreted, is a familiar one to most of us. This opportunity we provide has proven to be an accessible and rewarding arts experience for students. Very often this show is a first for many young artists. Seeing their own work in a gallery setting can often be the motivation and encouragement a student needs to continue to create. As a community based organization this show is inspiring to all of us. Please continue to support and encourage our next generation of artists,” said HAC’s Executive Director, Kieran Johnson.

Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends TBD. For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

The Huntington Arts Council (HAC) hosted an opening reception for its latest art exhibit, Tranquility, at its Main Street Gallery on September 8. The beautiful group show features the work of Edward Acosta, Emily Martin, Michael Sansone and Hillary Serota Needle. 

“The most powerful aspect of the arts is to give us a sense of place and a sense of home. The tranquil feeling of being where we belong in our communities. The current small group show reflects on that sense of tranquility. I encourage all to come meet these artists from your community and talk about their work during the Fall Huntington Village Art Walk on October 1st from noon to 5 p.m.,” said Kieran Johnson, Executive Director at the HAC.

Tranquility will be on view at the Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street in Huntington through Oct. 14. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Co. head to the Chapin Rainbow Stage on July 13. Photo by Darin Reed

Summer is finally here and that means the return of the Huntington Summer Arts Festival at the Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave., in Huntington. Now in its 58th year, the festival will offer four weeks of free, live performances Wednesdays to Sundays from July 1 to 30. Sunday performances start at 7 p.m., all others performances start at 8 p.m. unless noted. 

Produced by the Town of Huntington and presented by the Huntington Arts Council (HAC), the festival clearly has something for everyone whether it be music, dance or theater. This year features festival mainstays such as the Huntington Community Band and The Huntington’s Men’s Chorus while highlighting new acts such as Tito Rodriguez Jr./Huntington Latin Night, Dr. K’s Motown Revue and Swing Sessions with Dudley Music and Guests.

Opening weekend sets the stage for this breakthrough season featuring Brooklyn based Sunny Jain’s Red Baraat on July 1 and the popular Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra on July 2. The Festival will go dark on Mondays and Tuesdays but ramp up again with the Huntington Community Band each Wednesday for the duration of the month.

The Englishtown Project is an exciting addition this year on July 7th. Followed by six-time Grammy winner Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, classic Motown sounds with Dr. K’s Motown Revue, The Hot Sardines’ take on classic jazz tunes, and the return of Huntington-born Chieli Minucci & Special EFX All Stars rounding out the weekend.

The 17th Huntington Folk Festival, a collaborative effort of the Folk Music Society of Huntington and HAC, returns on July 22. The open mic session at 12:30 p.m. will be followed by L.I. based singer/songwriters swapping songs on the hill from 1:30 to 3:45 p.m., and on-stage from 4 to 6 p.m. The day culminates with co-headliners Lucy Kaplansky and Cliff Eberhardt, pre-concert at 8 p.m.

Additional regulars include the North Shore Pops Concert Band, and Plaza Theatrical Productions with a presentation of the Broadway Rock Musical RENT. Fabulous dance performances are highlighted once again by Sol Y Sombra Spanish Dance Company, and the L.I. Dance Consortium.

Closing out the Festival will be The Jazz Loft Big Band and Tom Manuel with Grammy nominated guest vocalist Nicole Zuraitis on July 29 and Orchestra L.I., conducted by Musical Director David Stewart Wiley, serves up a delightful “In Concert With Nature” with works by Handel (Water Music), George Walker, the Mendelsohnn siblings Fanny & Felix, and for this year’s Festival Finale, Pastorale—Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Opus 68 on July 30.

“Huntington Arts Council takes pride in being able to present an exciting, free summer series of live performances. This year in particular, I am happy that our selection of acts is more representative of the diversity in our community. Our goal is to make the festival relevant, entertaining and accessible to everyone. All are welcome to attend!” said Kieran Johnson, Executive Director, Huntington Arts Council.

Below is the complete schedule for the season.

For a copy of the printed calendar click this link.

Saturday, July 1 – Sunny Jain’s Red Baraat

Sunday, July 2 – Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra, 7:00PM start time

Wednesday, July 5 – Huntington Community Band, “All Around The World”

Thursday, July 6 – Huntington Men’s Chorus, “Seriously Sinatra”

–      Northport Community Band 8:30PM, start time NPT Park

Friday, July 7 – The Englishtown Project

Saturday, July 8 – Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

Sunday, July 9 – RENT Jonathan Larson’s Broadway Rock Musical by Plaza Theatrical Productions, 7:00PM start time

Wednesday, July 12 – Huntington Community Band, “Viva Long Island”

Thursday, July 13 – Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Co.

–      Northport Community Band 8:30PM, start time NPT Park

Friday, July 14 – Dr. K’s Motown Revue

Saturday, July 15 – The Hot Sardines

Sunday, July 16 – Chieli Minucci & Special EFX All-Stars, 7:00PM start time

Wednesday, July 19 – Huntington Community Band, “Una Celebracion de la Musica Latina”, 7:00PM Jazz Band start time; 8:00 PM Concert Band start time

Thursday, July 20 – North Shore Pops Concert Band

–      Northport Community Band 8:30PM, start time NPT Park

Friday, July 21 – Huntington Latin Night: Tito Rodriguez Jr. Orchestra; Opening Act – ZapOte Band; DJ Acito; Salsa Demo – Star Ballroom Dance Studiio 7:00 PM start time.

Saturday, July 22 – 16th Huntington Folk Festival, Cliff Eberhardt & Lucy Kaplansky, pre-concert interview at 7:15, concert at 8:00PM. Daytime open mic session hosted by Toby Tobias at 12:30, is followed by L.I. based singer/songwriters swapping songs on the hill from 1:30 to 3:45 PM, and on-stage from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.

Sunday, July 23 – L.I. Dance Consortium, “Long Island Dances!, 7:00PM start time

Wednesday, July 26 – Huntington Community Band,”…and Home Again!”

Thursday, July 27 – Swing Sessions with Dudley Music & Guests, local emerging Artists. Performers include Gabi Rose; saxophonist/vocalist, alt-rock trio MJT; and bassist Andraleia, leader of Empathology. 7:30PM start time.

–      Northport Community Band 8:30PM, start time NPT Park

Saturday, July 29 – Jazz Loft Big Band, Tom Manuel Conductor, Nicole Zuraitis, Guest Vocalist

Sunday, July 30 – Orchestra L.I., David Stewart Wiley, Conductor “In Concert With Nature”, 7:00PM start time, 6:15 PM pre-concert talk by Maestro David Stewart Wiley.

For more information, visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

The Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery held an opening reception for its latest exhibit, Flora & Fauna: Allegories of Nature, on Feb. 10. Juror Liz Fusco invited artists to submit artwork exploring the broad, interpretive scope of the connection and relationship to nature while encompassing the specific focus on flora and fauna. All media were welcome.

Over 130 artists submitted work of which 47 artists and pieces were accepted. Participating artists include Sal Agnello, Georgia Ardito, Shain Bard, Ron Becker, John Benevento, Joyce Bressler, Zintis Buzermanis, Jane Cairns Irvine, Kristin Calderone, Galina Carroll, Dorothy Chanin, Anne Cognato, Tobi Cohen, Donna Corvi, Caryn Coville, Victoria Field, Kaitlin Gardella, Arlene Gernon, Andrea M Gordon, Gabriella Grama, Brian Grandfield, Kathleen J Graves, Jan Guarino, Tara Hlaing, Mark Holmquist, Philip Jordan, Ralph Laudano, Michelle Lesser, Christophe Lima, Jeanette Martone, Celeste Mauro, Eileen Novack, Jairo A. Ortiz Cc, Howie Pohl, Denis Ponsot, Susan Ryan, Michael Sansone, Gianne Shin, James Slezak, Ginger Sosnowski, Nicholas Striga, Joanna Szczurkowska, Mary Jane Tenerelli, Steven Vando, Jo Wadler and Nancy Wernersbach.

“It was really a pleasure and an honor for me to be the juror for this exhibit, especially given the fact that flowers and nature are what inspires me in my own personal art. There were so many wonderful submissions with diverse interpretations of flora and fauna. All of the artwork was wonderful, even the ones not chosen for the exhibit,” said Fusco.

“The task of choosing a ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Honorable Mentions’ was a difficult one, considering the talent. Art is very subjective as we all know and what draws us to a work of art is so personal. Ultimately, the pieces I chose were the ones that were drawing me back to look at again and again, whether it was the color, the drama or the composition. Each one called out to me for prolonged observation and investigation. Reading the artists’ statements, as well, gave me context to the artwork which also helped me in my decisions,” she added.

Best in Show went to “Lotus” by Arlene Gernon, and “Ailanthus Webworm” by Dorothy Chanin, “I See You” by Jeanette Martone, “Bloom” by Gianne Shin and “Pink Peony” by Joanna Szczurkowska received Honorable Mentions.

Flora & Fauna: Allegories of Nature is not your typical landscape and wildlife show. This jury exhibition taps into the layers of symbolism used by Baroque, Renaissance, Romantic, Contemporary and Modern artists throughout the course of art history,” explained Kieran Johnson, Executive Director, of the Huntington Arts Council. 

“We are proud to see so many mediums convey the allegorical nature of the natural world. Come see this wonderful and deep exhibition at our Main Street Gallery soon.”

The Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington presents Flora & Fauna: Allegories of Nature through March 11. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.

Images courtesy of Huntington Arts Council

Photo from The Jazz Loft

The New York State Council on the Arts recently dispersed grants to nonprofit arts and culture organizations with the intention of helping them recover from the aftermath of COVID-19 shutdowns.

‘The vast majority of our artistic masterpieces and institutions were birthed from philanthropy of some kind.’

—Tom Manuel

In a press statement, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said, “As a cultural capital of the world, New York state is strengthened by our expansive coverage of the arts across all 62 counties. This year’s historic commitment to the arts sector will spur our continuing recovery from the pandemic and set the course for a stronger future.” 

Local organizations — including The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook, Preservation Long Island in Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington Arts Council — have announced that they are among the NYSCA grantees.

The Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft has received two grants totaling $50,000 from NYSCA: the Regrowth and Capacity grant for $10,000 and the Support for Organizations grant for $40,000.

The grants will be used to support the venue’s performance schedule, which includes more than 160 shows each year. Tom Manuel, president and founder of The Jazz Loft, said in an email the funding would make additions to the programming possible during the 2023-24 season. It will also help with the Loft School of Jazz program for high school students.

Manuel said learning about grant funding “is always a feeling of both excitement and relief.” “The arts has just been one of those mediums that has existed due to patron and government support since the time of Bach and Beethoven and even earlier,” he said. “The vast majority of our artistic masterpieces and institutions were birthed from philanthropy of some kind.”

The venue employs musicians at a cost of a quarter million dollars annually, according to Manuel, and in December The Jazz Loft welcomed 2,000 visitors.

“We’re honored to be a part of a wonderful community and that we can generate traffic and tourism throughout the village,” he said. “Our plan for the NYSCA grant funding is to present a series of world-class performers and educational events that will continue to support our artistic community and draw visitors from near and far.”

Huntington Arts Council

The nonprofit Huntington Arts Council has received a Statewide Community Regrant totaling $1 million over two years.

Kieran Johnson, executive director of the Huntington Arts Council, said HAC was grateful and humbled. He added the HAC grants are different from others as it’s not entirely for the council but to help other organizations recover. The organization has been part of the regranting program since it was a pilot in the 1970s.

“It’s all about supporting local artists and local arts organizations across Nassau and Suffolk counties,” Johnson said.

‘That’s the idea behind the SCR program, taking the money, keeping it local and really growing local economies, also.’

— Kieran Johnson

He said he remembers a statistic he once read that stated every dollar put into the local creative sector generates $5.25 of regional gross domestic product.

“That’s the idea behind the SCR program, taking the money, keeping it local and really growing local economies, also,” he said. “It’s a huge economic impact.”

Recently, the HAC granted $351,000 to organizations in Nassau and Suffolk counties  due to the New York grant and are in the process of sending the funds, Johnson said. Previous years the total amount of grants HAC dispersed has been around $120,000.

The state funds will help HAC award mini-grants every month for $1,000 for one person and one organization for a total of $2,000 a month for the next two years. Each month a new person and organization will be chosen. HAC also is running a professional development series for artists and organizations that includes brand identity, social media, legal courses and more.

“That’s our primary role of the HAC, we are an artist support organization,” he said.

Preservation Long Island

NYSCA also presented grants to Preservation Long Island based in Cold Spring Harbor. The nearly $70,000 in grant money will support “regionally focused historic preservation advocacy and public education programs,” according to the organization.

The funds were awarded in two grants to PLI: $20,000 in Recovery Funding and nearly $50,000 through the renewal of the Support for Organizations grant.

PLI will be able to help fund the rehiring of seasonal museum educators on Long Island and reopen historic houses which were closed to the public during the pandemic. Funding will also be used to enhance digital programming strategies introduced during the pandemic.

Alexandra Parsons Wolfe, executive director, said fortunately, many arts and cultural organizations received Paycheck Protection Program loans.

“We were not abandoned during the pandemic,” Wolfe said. However, she added more relief is needed.

The regional organization is able to help smaller organizations on Long Island that may not have the means to hire a paid staff in their pursuits to implement preservation projects for endangered historic places.

“I can’t emphasize how important the New York State Council on the Arts is to the cultural institutions of Long Island and New York, and it’s so worth tax money to be able to support organizations like ours,” she said.

The Huntington Arts Council recently benefited from a NYS Council on the Artsl grant.

The New York State Council on the Arts recently awarded its Regrowth and Capacity recovery grants to local nonprofits. The grants will help arts and cultural organizations continue to return to pre-pandemic capacity and creation levels by providing monetary relief.

The art community, along with other nonprofits and businesses, was severely impaired by COVID-19 guidelines that had prevented large gatherings of any kind in the early months of the pandemic in 2020. The effects of the lockdown have continued to linger as many people remain hesitant to participate in public events. NYSCA recovery funding efforts are commendable.

Arts organizations that had to furlough staff, cancel programs and cut back their usual offerings may now have a better chance of fully opening their doors again. Canceling programs led to less audience outreach and community support. Grants, such as the ones received from NYSCA, will give organizations the boost they need and, hopefully, remind people that these institutions are essential for community health. 

The arts play a vital role in our society. Dance, music, galleries, public works of art and others help us relax; they remind us to take a break from our hectic lifestyles.

News cycles can be disheartening, painting a bleak picture of societies and the future of humanity. Creative works can help us liberate ourselves from these distortions, making sense of the world, improving our quality of lives and elevating moods.

The local economy tends to improve, too, with arts and cultural organizations due to increased consumer purchases and tourism.

Studies have shown that public works of art are beneficial to cities. An illuminated art installation is not only aesthetically pleasing but also can provide needed light along a dark street or path. Public works of art also help community members connect, and people within those municipalities may feel more represented. Art can be used to raise general awareness about various issues, encouraging civic engagement and opening minds.

A building’s mural or art installation in a town may even help to foster pride in one’s neighborhood. Most of all, public art in our local neighborhoods, free cultural programs — whether at an art exhibit or concert at a local park — make these forms of expression accessible to anyone, no matter age or income.

For too long, our communities were isolated as elected officials and medical professionals worked to curb the spread of COVID-19. However, methods of managing the disease left many divided. For a nation and world scarred by isolation and angst, art offers us a path forward and a means to heal.

Many cultural institutions are ready to revitalize themselves. With NYSCA’s Regrowth and Capacity recovery grants, now they can. Let’s take this opportunity to reunite and reconnect through the arts, even if just for a few hours on a weekend day.

'Lost Souls' by Sophia Lin

The spookiest month of the year signals the return of the Huntington Arts Council’s annual student exhibit, Nightmare on Main Street, a Halloween-inspired juried art exhibit for Nassau and Suffolk County students in grades 6 to 12. This year’s show runs from Oct. 21 to Nov. 15. 

‘The Hollow’ by Bennett Vitagliano

“Our Nightmare on Main Street student exhibit is now in its 11th year! This exhibit continues to be one of our most popular, both for the students and the overall community,” said HAC’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson. “The submissions spanned across Long Island with both public and private school students from 21 districts participating in the call. Congratulations to all of the students who submitted to this show.”

Guest juror Lauren LaBella, co-owner of The Gallery @ in Huntington, invited participants to broaden their artistic interpretation of the Halloween inspired exhibition by referencing the Plague Doctor during the Bubonic Plague “which became a momento mori, a symbol for one’s last earthly moments, as this was usually the last thing a person would see before meeting their death. The long beak of the mask was filled with herbs and spices that were believed to filter out the ‘bad spirit,’ protecting the wearer from those he was visiting; the long, waxy coat and hat protecting their skin and clothes underneath. A long staff was used to make contact with the bodies without having to touch them directly. … Similarly, Halloween is a once-a-year opportunity to disguise yourself or be unknown, and to celebrate the darker parts of life. In the medium of your choice, show us how you interpret these concepts.”

“Just under 200 pieces from 145 artists were submitted this year to Nightmare on Main Street,” said Sarah J. McCann, HAC’s Gallery & Operations Director. 

‘The Hidden Place’ by Gianna Purpura

“One of the highest submissions in the history of the show, the work does not disappoint. Our juror has chosen 41 pieces to be featured in the Main Street Gallery and on our website. In recognition of the dedication and enthusiasm the students have shown for this call to artists, we have decided to expand the online gallery to include a special section so that all of the artists’ work that was submitted can be shared with the community,” she said. 

Exhibiting artists include Maya Almaliah, Meggie Baxter, Lilah Black, Colby Burns, Joseline  Canales-lazo, Scout Chen, Elaine Ching, Jazmin  Corrujedo, Victoria Czoch, Sophia Dolinsky, Madeline Dombrow, Gilana Etame, Sally Feliciano, DJ Fusco, Michael Gallagher, Mary Getzoni, Emma Gutierrez, Kelly  Halversen, Alexandra Hugel, Molly Lebolt, Sophia Lin, Isabella Mascetti, Liza McPherson, Samantha  Medley, Finn Monte, Natalie Parrott, Gianna Purpura, Sivan Pyle, Elliot Rosenblatt, Zayed Sattaur, Grace Schoonmaker, Nicole Schrock, Jasmine Sedra, Jack Semelsberger, Alexa Shafy, Juliana Silva, Peyton Silvestri, Charlotte Tsekerides, Bennett Vitagliano, Warren Wei and Kerry Yeung.

“We pride ourselves in working hard to be inclusive with our call to artists and all of our programs. Our gallery is open to all and we certainly encourage you to stop in to see the exhibit and visit our website regularly to learn more about the work that we are doing for the community,” added Johnson.

The Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Galley, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open Tuesdays to Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 631-271-8423 or visit www.huntingtonarts.org.