Tags Posts tagged with "Mills Pond Gallery"

Mills Pond Gallery

Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Smithtown Township Arts Council presents Between Artist, Artwork and Audience — Emotional Connections in Art at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from May 3 to May 31. 

Have you ever wondered about what is going on in a painting? For the viewer, art can be a doorway into the soul, passion, conflict, or love that is woven into each artwork. The artist’s creations sometimes reveal unspoken personal struggles or achievements, which cause the viewer to connect with a familiar experience in their life or inspire a new way of seeing the world. How we see art is uniquely affected by the lives we have lived. 

In this latest exhibit, artists were asked to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in their artwork and 96 artists from 48 Long Island communities as well as Brooklyn, Queens, Irvington and Larchmont  NY, NJ, OH, MA and NV answered the call. 

Works were created using acrylic, charcoal, conte, gouache, watercolor, acrylic, colored ink, oil, graphite, ink, mixed media, monotype print, oil, pastel, pencil, watercolor, and woodcut.

All of the artists have all shared brief personal connection statements which will be available to gallery visitors.

A statement by one of the exhibiting artists Joseph Gattulli helps to define the essence of this exhibit … “My art is not just about visual aesthetics; it is an invitation to engage with the deeper, often unspoken aspects of our emotional lives. I hope that viewers find a sense of connection and empathy, recognizing their own journeys within the narrative of my art.”

“We hope the exhibited work will touch our viewers whether they are intrigued, nostalgic, uplifted, calmed, hopeful or otherwise,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Debra Baker, Brenda L. Bechtel, Ron Becker, Kusuma Bheemineni, Kyle Blumenthal, Joyce Bressler, Kathy Brown, Renee Caine, Al Candia, Linda Ann Catucci, Carol Ceraso, Bernice Corbin, Jane Corrarino, Trisha biSha Danesi, Karen B Davis, Jennifer DeMory, Bernadette Denyse, Thomas DiCicco, William Drost, Paul Farinacci, Ellen Ferrigno, Bernadette Fox, Stuart  Friedman, Peter Galasso, Joseph Gattulli, Joan Genchi, Arlene Gernon, Michele Gonzalez, Meghan Goparaju, Rhoda Gordon, Susan Guihan Guasp, Alexandra Guma, Regina Halliday, Christopher L. Hanson, David Herman, Tyler Hughes, Heather Jablon, Julia Jenkins, George Junker, Sally Anne Keller, James Kelson, Angelica  Kempa, Mary Kiernan, Catherine Knight, Myungja Anna Koh, Sara Kohrt, Scott Lawson, Matthew Lombardo, Tracy Mahler, John Mansueto, Jeanette Martone, Adriena Masi, Liz Jorg Masi, Kathleen McArdle, Avrel Menkes, Romalia Mitchell, John Morris, Diane Motroni, Judith Musaro, Mary Nagin, Judy Pagano, Maureen Palmieri, Patti Peterson, Vanessa Pineda Fox, Denis Ponsot, Jeff Potter, Kelly Powell, Nicole Pray, Josephine Puccio, Bernice Rausch, William Reed, Robert Roehrig, Lori Scarlatos, Adriana Serban, Kendra Singh, Gisela Skoglund, Lynn Staiano, Mike Stanko, Maddy Stare, Judy Stone, Amanda Szczurowski, Gia Dianna Taylor, Joanne Teets, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Andrea Tonty, Robert Tuska, Diane Van Velsor, Robert Wallkam, Joseph Weinreb, Marie Winn, Marie Winn, Nina Wood, Patty Yantz, and Theodora Zavala.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

 

It’s time to honor the best of the best. The Smithtown Township Arts Council will present its annual Winners Showcase Fine Art Exhibition at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from March 15 to April 11.

The exhibit features over 60 works of art from nine prize-winning artists from past juried exhibitions in various forms of medium including acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, pencil, Silver Gelatin film photography, carved plaster and mixed media. Featured artists include Christopher Hanson, Matthew Manthe, Howard Pohl, Adam D. Smith, Myungja Anna Koh, Robert Berson, Nicholas Valentino, Ross Barbera and Marianne Andresen-Magin.

Christopher Hanson (Rocky Point) specializes in figurative and narrative pieces which range in many different styles and subject matters using Oil and Graphite. Also proficient in digital media, Chris explores many facets of Fantasy, Science fiction, and Horror in his professional illustrations.

Matthew Manthe (Miller Place) has been sketching since childhood, always with a pencil and paper in hand. “I have spent hundreds of hours filling my walls with artwork.”  He exhibits in galleries across the Northeast.  “I have a passion for filling every inch of the page with detail, a practice that has fueled my art for years.”

Howard Pohl (Lindenhurst)  Howard built his first darkroom in which to develop black-and-white film in 1985. Despite the popularity of today’s Digital photography, Howard still finds the traditional method of analog photography to be motivating and continues the process to this day. He is passionate about capturing the blacks, whites, and shades of gray that make up the monochromatic palette which allow him to stay true to the negative image.

Adam D. Smith (Selden) Growing up on family boats on the waters of Long Island,  Adam has always been inspired by the beautiful coastline and the magic of  water. “I relish the challenge of translating our environment onto canvas. Whether a coastal scene, a nautical-inspired work, or simply a water portrait, I love finding the right colors to invoke a response.”

Myungja Anna Koh (Stony Brook) Anna bases her paintings on inspiration within her mind, specifically to capture and improvise the unique energy of objects. She wants to leave traces of paint on paper or canvas by using momentary, impromptu energy. She works in acrylics, watercolors, and digital art. Also a children’s book author, Anna immerses herself in storytelling in her art and her writing.

Robert Berson (Northport) has lived on Long Island all his life except for a 2-year stint in the army. As a physician for some 40 years, he did not always have the time to take lessons in drawing or painting but periodically would be drawn back to art and try to squeeze it into his days. Now retired  10 years, Robert has become more serious about his pastel art.

Nicholas Valentino (N. Babylon) “Attending Parsons School of Design gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my creativity.” Nick brings a unique and personal perspective to his art. Working with mixed media and “throw-away” items, Nick’s passion is creating a new spin on automotive parts “giving them new life and purpose through my art.”

Ross Barbera (Ronkonkoma) is inspired by the interplay and rich diversity of textural surfaces, form and color in landscape environments. Many of his works explore the visual interaction that occurs between streams, ponds and bodies of water with their surrounding landscape environments.   Ross taught at St. John’s University,  Department of  Art and Design, where he served as  chair  for three years.

Marianne Andresen-Magin (Huntington) has always loved to draw and paint. She specializes in illustration art and loves to  feature animals in her artwork. Working  in many mediums including ink, marker, watercolor, and colored pencils the beauty of nature and animals inspire her. Marianne is also an award-winning children’s book author.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. All parking in rear lot: GPS parking address 176 Mills Pond Rd., St. James, NY 11780.

For information or directions visit millspondgallery.org or call 631-862-6575.

 

Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery in St. James kicks off the new year with its annual Member Artist Showcase Exhibition celebrating the creativity and tapestry of talent that defines our communities. Featuring the work of 97 Long Island artists, the exhibit runs from Jan. 25 through Feb. 23.

The featured artwork was created in a wide variety of mediums including acrylic, charcoal and pastel, conte, gouache,mixed media, monotype print, oil, pastel, pen & ink, pencil, photography, pigment ink, archival substrate on panel, resin sculpture, solarplate etching, watercolor and more. 

“This exhibit allowed the artists to select the art they wanted to show… each of them offering their distinct approach to seeing and representing their artistic passion. We hope gallery visitors enjoy the artwork presented and we hope once they leave, they suddenly catch the beauty in something because a painting brought their mind into a different focus,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Adam D. Smith, Adriena Masi, Andrea Fortunoff, Andrea Tonty, Arlene Gernon, Barbara Jones, Bernice Corbin, Bernice Rausch, Bob Stone, Christopher Buckley, Constance Sloggatt Wolf, CW Max, Daniel Van Benthuysen, David Herman, Debra Baker, Diane Motroni, Dominique Treboux, Ellen Ferrigno, Felecia Montfort, Frederic Mendelsohn, Gia Horton, George Junker, Heather Jablon, Hillary Serota Needle, Jacqueline DuBarry, Jacques Garant, James Kelson, Jane Corrarino, Jeanette Martone, Joan Rockwell, JoAnne Dumas, John Mansueto, John Morris, Josephine Puccio, Joyce Bressler, Judy Stone, Karin Dutra, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Kathy Brown, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Kusuma Bheemineni, Kyle Blumenthal, Linda Hartman, Linda Ann Catucci, Lisa Marie Scrima-Castelli, Liz Jorg Masi, Lori Scarlatos, Lou Deutsch, Louise McClellan, Lynn Kinsella, Lynn Staiano, M. Ellen Winter, Madeline Stare, Mark Levine, Mary Difronzo, Mary Waka, Mary Ann Vetter, Matthew Lombardo, Mike Stanko, Myungja Anna Koh, Nicholas Valentino, Pamela Waldroup, Pat Forie, Patricia DiGiovanni,Patricia Lind-Gonzalez, Patricia Yantz, Patti Napolitano Kern, Paul Edelson, Paul Mele, Renee Caine, Robert Wallkam, Robert Tuska, Robert Roehrig, Roberta Rogers, Ron Becker, Roni Murillo, Ross Barbera, Sally Anne Keller, Sandra Feinberg, Sandra Riddle, Scott Hartman, Sean Pollock, Sebastian McLaughlin, Shain Bard, Stephen Shannon, Steven Walker, Susan Guihan Guasp, Terence Mcmanus, Terry Tramantano, Theodora Zavala, Theresa Graff, Thomas Dicicco, Tracey Alemaghides, Victoria Beckert, Virginia Mallon, Whitney Bell, and William Drost.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the artists and enjoy their wonderful creations. 

Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. 

For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

By Heidi Sutton

Just in time for the holidays, the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery in St. James presents Small But Still Mighty, an exhibition and affordable art sale featuring 170 smaller works ranging in size from 10 to 24 inches wide created by local artists in a variety of mediums including acrylic, colored pencil, ink, mixed media, oil, oil and cold wax, pastel, pencil, ink, photography, pigment ink, archival metallic luster, soft pastel and watercolor. The show opens on Nov. 2 and runs through Dec. 15.

“I believe that art speaks to us…sends a visual message that maybe reminds us of a past place, person or feeling. Maybe we make that connection through the colors used…or the style of the art or the place depicted. We each interpret that visual message based on our own experiences and emotions,” said Allison Cruz, Executive Director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

“This exhibit celebrates the artists whose amazing creativity adds beauty to the world around us and offers an opportunity for the public to support creativity in their communities,” she said.

Cruz urges exhibit visitors to consider purchasing or gifting original art this holiday season.

“Supporting artists helps foster their continued creativity while bringing economic benefits to our communities. Art creates a connection between the giver and the recipient that can last long after the gift is unwrapped,” said Cruz. 

“By gifting art, you create an opportunity for the recipient to discover something new or get in touch with their creative side! Art can act as a constant reminder of the beauty and creativity in the world. Come browse the exhibit…you are sure to find something that perfectly fits the lifestyle of the person you are shopping for…nature art, animal art, abstract creations and so much more!”

The exhibit  includes 47 artists from 45 Long Island communities, one from CT, and one from NYC including Adriena Masi, Angela Stratton, Annette Napolitano, Arlene Gernon, Bernice Corbin, Bobbie Ludwig, Carol Kelly, Carol Ceraso, Debra Baker, Ellen Ferrigno, Frederic Mendelsohn, George Junker, Gia Horton, Heather Jablon, James Kelson, James Andrew Conan Dill, Jeanette Martone, Joan Rockwell, JoAnne Dumas, John Morris, John Mansueto, Josephine Puccio, Judith Musaro, Judy Stone, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Kathy Brown, Linda Ann Catucci, Liz Jorg Masi, Lori Scarlatos, Louise Mcclellan, Lynn Staiano, Mary Waka, Mary Jane Houser, Megan Kenny, Myungja Anna Koh, Nicholas Valentino, Pat Forie, Patricia Lind-Gonzalez, Patti Peterson, Patty Yantz, Robert Roehrig, Sally Anne Keller, Sheniqua Young, Theodora Zavala, Theresa Graff, and William Drost.

The community is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work. 

Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., closed from Nov. 25 to 30 for Thanksgiving. Admission to the gallery is always free. 

For more information or directions, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

All images courtesy of Mills Pond Gallery

 

by -
0 534

Preservation Long Island invites the community to a Community Conversation on the historic murals at Kings Park Psychiatric Center at the Mills Pond Gallery, 176 Mills Pond Road, St. James on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7 to 8 p.m.  

This discussion will revolve around a mural from King’s Park Psychiatric Center (KPPC) Building 93, attributed to author and cartoonist Percy Lee Crosby, who lived at KPPC from 1949 until his death in 1964 and how the mural interprets the experience of being a resident at KPPC, art as a form of therapy, and the mural as a historic artifact.

The event will take place at the Mills Pond House which a Greek Revival home built for William Wickham Mills in 1838–40. It is a rare surviving example of the small agricultural communities that once thrived on Long Island. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house now serves as the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery, which offers a space for creative expression and the exploration of contemporary art. Be sure to visit the gallery’s current art exhibition Our Relationship with the Land open one hour before the Community Conversation.

This event is  free and open to all —community members, students, educators, activists, and anyone interested in how these artworks capture human experiences and reflect the community of KPPC. 

To reserve your space, visit www.millspondgallery.org/events For more information, call 631-862-6575.

Up next at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James is the juried exhibit, Our Relationship to the Land —  seeing the natural world through artistic inspiration. The show, presented by the Smithtown Township Arts Council, opens on Sept. 7 and runs through Oct. 11. Guest curator Steven Baroumis selected 84 works for the exhibition.

“We know that art has the potential to shape our world — art can be credited  with creating social movements and even making revolutionary changes in society. In this exhibit the artwork gives a voice to those who created it to speak about the Land and their connection to it. We present this exhibition as an invitation to the public to connect with and appreciate the beauty of the land, recognize its fragility and work to protect it,” said Allison Cruz, executive director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery.

Exhibiting artists include Avrel Menkes, Barry Feuerstein, Bernice Corbin, Bob Stone, Cliff Miller, Daniel van Benthuysen, Diane Maniscalco, Diane Motroni, Dominique Treboux, Elizabeth Courtney, Felicia Montfort, Frederic Mendelsohn, George Junker, Gerry Hirschstein, Gisela Skoglund, Hillary Serota Needle, James Kelson, Jan Guarino, Jennifer DeMory, Jessica Rybak, Joan Branca, Joan Rockwell, Joan Schwartzman, John Mansueto, John Morris, John Taylor, Joseph Weinreb, Joyce Bressler, Judy Pagano, Judy Stone, Karin Dutra, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Linda Hartman, Lyla Petroske, Lynn Kinsella, Lynn Staiano, Madeline Stare, Margaret Governale, Marianne Andresen-Magin, Mark Levine, Marsha Abrams, Mary Kiernan, Mary Waka, Mary Ann Vetter, Merle McGarrett, Michelle Kramer, Mike Stanko, Monica Rich, Myungja Anna Koh, Pat Forie, Patty Yantz, Paul Edelson, Renee Caine, Rhoda Angelier, Rita Broughton, Robert Roehrig, Robert Tuska, Robert Wallkam, Ron Becker, Sally Anne Keller, Samantha Kenny, Scott Hartman, Shain Bard, Susan Guihan Guasp, Syd Glasser, Terence McManus, Theresa Graff, Tyler Hughes, Valerie Farrugia, Victoria Beckert, Vivian Gattuso and Vivien Pollack.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work. 

Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m.  Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information or directions, call 631-862-6575 or visitmillspondgallery.org.

Images courtesy of Mills Pond Gallery

Smithtown Township Arts Council has announce that the works of Nesconset artist Jim Minet will be on view from August 28 to October 25 at Apple Bank of Smithtown, 91 Route 111, Smithtown. The exhibition, part of the Arts Council’s Outreach Gallery Program, may be viewed during regular banking hours Monday – Thursday 9 am – 4 pm; Friday 9 am – 6 pm; Saturday 9 am – 1 pm.

After studying at The Art Students League in Manhattan, Minet began his teaching experience at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan and is now focusing exclusively on teaching venues on Long Island.  Originally educated at Long Island University / CW Post and graduating with a Bachelor of Science, he went on to become National Sales Manager for several corporations before starting his own business in Marketing for the art materials industry. Minet ran his marketing business for over 10 years but the passion to paint full time remained, so in 2021 he transitioned full time to painting and teaching art.

Minet paints in oils and acrylics and watercolor. His works showing at Apple Bank is a representational array of oil and acrylic paintings focused on a  variety of landscape subjects. His body of work also includes semi-abstract work and a variety of subjects from still life to landscape to portraiture.

Minet teaches fine art painting for the Smithtown Township Arts Council at the Mills Pond Gallery in St, James and the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. He is also a Brand Ambassador for Holbein, Legion Paper, and General Pencil Company and frequently conducts workshops throughout the Long Island area. He has exhibited artwork at multiple locations in the New York/Long Island area.

“STAC is grateful to Apple Bank for its continued support of culture in our communities. We are so happy to feature the talents of Long Island artists in this space!” read the release.

By Melissa Arnold

If you think back to your childhood, it’s likely you can recall moments when you were captivated by something external, like animal shapes in the clouds, or internal, like a daydream. You probably played dress-up, or with dolls or LEGOs, or fell in love with Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, or Disney movies.

There’s an almost universal tug we share toward things outside of the ordinary — we are drawn to dreams, fantasies, and sometimes other worlds.

Allison Cruz, executive director of the Smithtown Township Arts Council and Mills Pond Gallery in St. James, has invited artists from around the country to explore their inner worlds with a new exhibit called Imagination.  

It’s a little different than the gallery’s usual showings, but Cruz is excited to expose visitors to artistic expressions that might be unfamiliar.

“I’ve had this idea for a long time. I’m personally a fan of realism, but over time I’ve really started to appreciate imaginative realism — art about things that don’t yet exist, or might exist in the far future … fantasy, science fiction, absurd humor, escapism,” said Cruz. “It seems like there’s been a greater interest in those subjects among artists as well, so it feels like the right moment to do this. A lot of the artists have thanked me for giving them an opportunity to explore a different side of themselves. I think people will be pleasantly surprised by what they see.”

The exhibit includes the work of 62 artists and a total of 81 selected submissions in a variety of styles and mediums. Their art combines personal narrative, pop culture characters and more to speak about the stories that fill our times. Taken together, the exhibit reveals the inner workings of the artists’ minds, from the complex to the humorous and even outlandish.

Manhattan native David H. Reuss is serving as juror for Imagination. Reuss has a long history with the Mills Pond Gallery — he studied there years ago under Marvel Comics illustrator John Buscema, and later connected with Cruz through art collector Tim Newton of the renowned Salmagundi Club. 

With a background in both fine art and illustration, Cruz thought Reuss was the perfect fit for the exhibit’s themes.

“David is on the board of the Society of Illustrators but also teaches realism painting, so he straddles both worlds. He loves the gallery and has the background that was needed to appreciate imaginative work. He really personifies what we were hoping to accomplish,” she said.

Reuss reviewed nearly 300 submissions during the selection process, considering how well each one fit the theme and how his selections would work together on display. He said he was “extremely impressed with the high-level talent” of the chosen artists, adding that their art could easily appear in any major city.

“I’ve done a lot of surreal and fantastical work, and some of the submissions even leaned into illustration, so I was excited to get involved,” he said. “Everything that comes from an artist’s mind is imaginative, but this exhibit pushes those definitions a bit more — mythological concepts, abstracts, fantastical elements — to explore more of what imagination means to others.”

Keep your eyes open for the little details as you appreciate the exhibit. A painting of a cityscape could be hiding a fairy friend. An abstract design might reveal a face. An animal could change its appearance if you look long enough. What will your imagination reveal to you?

“People might not understand or like everything they see here, but art is just another way to learn about new concepts and ideas. I feel that I have a responsibility to bring all kinds of art to our communities,” Cruz said. “Art speaks with many voices, even ones you’ve never heard before. Give this exhibit a try.”

Participating  Artists: 

Marianne Andresen-Magin, Christopher Aoki-Kalin, Lyrin Bailey, Ellen Chadwick, Danny Ciampa, John Darby, Jennifer DeMory, Bernadette Denyse, Kirsten DiGiovanni, Sheryl Renee Dobson, Michael Drakopoulos, Stuart Friedman, Jacques Garant, Candace Gely, Maureen Ginipro, Jared Glennon, Casey Greene, Jan Guarino, Christopher Hanson, David Herman, Tyler Hughes, Julia Jenkins, James Kelson, Myungja Anna Koh, Anna Laimo, Christopher Lauto, Wendy Hope Leiser, Mark Levine, Matthew Manthe, Diana Martocci, Antonio Masi, Avrel  Menkes, Cindy  Miller, Laura  Minet, Angie  Nicholes, Eileen Palmer, Robert J. Polito, Arthur Poore, Kurt Thomas Pope, Shay Poppers, William Randazzo, Bernice Rausch, William Reed, Noah Richardson, Rachel Rossier Ryan, Jairid Rossow, Amelia Rozear, Lynda Sandoval, Barret Schumacher, Marcie Serber, Sydney Shurgin, Greg Sinibaldi, Echo Song, Lisa Stanko, Megan Stephenson, Judy Stone, Angela Stratton, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Linda Trope, Joseph Weinreb and Doug Zider.

Imagination will be on view at the Mills Pond Gallery, 660 Route 25A in St. James from July 13 to Aug. 11 The public is invited to meet the artists and view the exhibit at an opening reception on July 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. Regular gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

Art is in full bloom at the Smithtown Township Arts Council’s Mills Pond Gallery in St. James with its latest exhibit, Flower Power. The unique show, which runs from June 1 to 29, flows through four gallery rooms and the center hall gallery on the first floor of the historic 1838 Greek Revival mansion.

Artists were invited to submit art that reflects the beauty and uniqueness of flowers — whether represented in realism, impressionism or even abstraction — and to celebrate their colors, textures, shapes, and the emotions they evoke.

Using acrylic, fiber, ceramic, colored pencil, gouache, ink, mixed media, mosaic, oil, pastel, torn paper and watercolor, 83 artists from 46 Long Island communities as well as NYC, Ohio and Virginia accepted the challenge to produce a beautiful bouquet of original floral-themed works. 

Exhibiting artists include Alacia Stubbs, Angela Stratton, Ashley Thorbjornsen, Bernice Corbin, Carissa Millett, Carmela Taliercio Cohn, Carol Ceraso, Carolanne Goff, Caryn Coville, Catherine Rezin, Christine Verga Maday, Christine Woodring, Christopher Krauss, Dale Luongo, David Herman, Debra Baker, Dominique Treboux, Donna Corvi, Eileen Baumeister McIntyre, Eileen Shaloum, Ellen Ferrigno, Felecia Montfort, Gabriella Grama, Gretchen Smith, James Kelson, Jan Guarino, Jessica Rybak, Joan Gould, Joanne Teets, John Mansueto, Joseph Weinreb, Joyce Bressler, Judith Caseley, Judith Musaro, Judy Stone, Julie Doczi, Karen McClendon, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Kathleen Bart, Kathleen McArdle, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Kyle Blumenthal, Linda Ann Catucci, Linda Hartman, Lisa Stanko, Liz Jorg Masi, Lori Scarlatos, Lou Charnon Deutsch, Lynn Kinsella, Maddy Stare, Marcie Serber, Margaret Farr, Mark Levine, Marsha Abrams, Mary Ann Hart, Mary Kiernan, Mary Lor, Mary Waka, Maureen Ginipro, Maureen Palmieri, Myungja Anna Koh, Patricia A. Morrison, Patricia Blasius, Patricia Luppino, Patti Peterson, Paula Sherman, Peter Galasso, Renee Caine, Rima Potter, Robert Roehrig, Sally Anne Keller, Samantha Kenny, Scott Hartman, Sean Pollock, Sharon Pearsall, Sheniqua Young, Stefani Jarrett, Stephen Shannon, Theodora Zavala, Tianzhao Zhao, Tina Anthony, Tracey Alemaghides, and Veronica Lawlor.

The public is invited to an opening reception for Flower Power on Saturday, June 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in Saint James. Hours of operation are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. (closed June 16). Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.

In perfect timing with Earth Day, the Smithtown Township Arts Council presents Surrounded by Water, a juried art exhibit at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James featuring the work of 94 artists from 53 communities in New York whose work shows us the elegance, power, and fragility of the Long Island waters that are a source of beauty and wonder. The show runs from April 20 to May 18. 

From ponds, streams and bays to oceans, the waters of Long Island have long provided artists endless possibilities in which to seek their muse. Artists were invited to submit works that will stir memories and curiosities about our beautiful Long Island waters, inspiring gallery visitors to reflect on their relationship to the water that shapes nearly every aspect of their lives and how we must all work to protect it.

Mediums include oil, acrylic, colored pencil, conté, gouache, ink, mixed media, pastel, pencil, photography, and watercolor. Prizes will be awarded for Best in Show along with second and third prize.

Exhibiting artists include Adam Smith,  Al Candia, Anastasia Eswar, Angela Stratton, Anthony Davis,Barbara Bilotta, Barbara Jeanne Siegel, Barbara Keenan, Barry Feuerstein, Bart DeCeglie, Bernice Corbin, Carissa Millett, Carol Ceraso, Carol Koch, Catherine Rezin, Christine MacDonagh, Christopher Buckley, Daniel van Benthuysen, Diana Aliberti, Diane Oliva, Dominique Treboux, Drigo Morin, Ellen Ferrigno, Frederic Mendelsohn, George Junker, Gia Horton, Hillary Serota Needle, Howie Pohl, Irene Vitale, Jacques Garant, James Fingado, James Kelson, Jan Guarino, Jane McGraw-Teubner, Jared Glennon, Jeanette Martone,  Jim Minet, Joan Rockwell, JoAnn Gushue, JoAnne Dumas, John Mansueto, John Taylor, Judith Musaro, Judy Pagano, Judy Stone, Karen Davis, Karen Mortimore, Kathee Shaff Kelson, Katheryn Laible, Khrystyne Robillard-Smith, Kusuma Bheemineni, Linda Hartman, Lisa Marie Scrima-Castelli, Lori Scarlatos, Lou Charnon-Deutsch, Lynn Staiano, Margaret Governale, Mark Levine, Marsha Abrams, Mary Kiernan, Matthew Lombardo, Melanie Reim, Mike Stanko, Myungja Anna Koh, Nancy Wernersbach, Oscar Santiago, Patricia DiGiovanni, Patricia Venturino, Patti Peterson, Patty Yantz, Paul Edelson, Regina Halliday, Renee Caine, Robert Berson, Robert Roehrig, Robert Wallkam, Sally Anne Keller, Scott Hartman, Sheila Breck, Sheniqua Young, Stacey Schuman, Susan Guihan Guasp, Terry Tramantano, Theodora Zavala, Tianzhou Zhao, Tina Anthony, Tracy Mahler Tekverk, Vanessa Pineda Fox, Vicki Field, Vivian Hershfield, Whitney Bell, and William Reed.

The public is invited to an opening reception on Saturday, April 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. to meet the exhibiting artists and view their work. 

Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A, Saint James. Hours of operation are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends from noon to 4 p.m. (closed May 12). Admission to the gallery is always free. For more information, call 631-862-6575 or visit www.millspondgallery.org.