FREE SRING 2024 EDUCATION • PERFORMING ARTS • GALLERY EXHIBITIONS • GRANTS • EVENTS Huntington Arts Council 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID HUNTINGTON NY 11743 PERMIT NO 275
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For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 3 Letter from the Executive Director I don’t know if I can think of an artist who hasn’t worked in the service industry. I was contemplating this after a nightly scroll brought me to my favorite “parenting” Instagram page Blakeoftoday. He starts off with the age-old adage of “There is a statement in the service industry that the world would be a better place if everyone had to be a waiter for a day.” We agree on this same point, and it is not because of some revenge on customers who would suffer a triple seating on Friday at 11pm, or working in the upper deck of a stadium selling sunflower seeds to only make thirtynine cents (not a typo) for a home stand that was 9 games long. Working in the service industry, you thrive on creating real bonds and being a team that has to work together to provide the customer with an enjoyable experience. Whether that means chef/waiter/busser/host/checker/porter/or vendor in my case. Most days I would spend the time between a 2 hour early call until 30 minutes before game time sitting on third-base talking about how to be producers for a new play a fellow vendor was writing. Some days I would argue the finer points of Lenard Skynard vs Estrasphere with a high school principal while waiting to find out if I had been assigned to sell water in Lodge or cotton candy in the Mezz. I still can feel the sudden dread of how long my night would be if I heard “Duck and Run” by Three Doors Down at the start of the game. Working in the non-profit field feels the same way. We are a service industry. There are days and weeks where dread from the human embodiment of a rain delay is replaced with weekly checks on pledged government contracts. The walk-in “crisis” is now the HVAC system that just couldn’t hold out one more day after 15 years, and you have to cancel an event with 2 hours’ notice. But then you get that win that makes it all perfect. When you get to be the one thing a child was looking for the whole game, and the smile is brighter than the stadium lights. Now it is when your “home team” gets to be the place where a student learns that their work has value after a person, not their guardian or friend, purchases it. You get to award the first grant someone has ever received and encourage them to make a go at this art thing, and then it becomes their career. You get to be the place where parents who have shared custody bring their child because it’s more of a positive memory than a sad one for their kid. The service industry, in all its forms, is seen as this place that you start in, and you work your way out of. As Blakeoftoday says, “…there are those who never need to get out of this place, that the dignity of feeding people is enough. Particularly when it is done with care and love.” That is what we are here for as HAC, as part of your art service industry. To work with everyone to feed their creative and cultural needs with care and love. Kieran Johnson Executive Director Huntington Arts Council The Service Industry KIERAN JOHNSON Executive Director
4 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Our Staff EMILY DOWD Grants Coordinator KIERAN JOHNSON Executive Director MAUREEN H. STARR Assistant Director PATTY ELJAIEK Grants Assistant SARAH J. MCCANN Gallery & Operations Director SUEEY GUTIERREZ Arts in Education Coordinator JADE SCOTT Operations Assistant AUDREIANA LESTY Project Manager / Muralist CHRISTOPHE LIMA Educator / Muralist SAGE COTIGNOLA Designer / Muralist JEFFREY ESPINOZA Educator / Designer / Muralist
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 5 huntingtonarts.org Follow @HuntingtonArts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 213 Main Street, Huntington NY 631-271-8423 Hours: Tues - Fri 11am - 4pm (and by arrangement) VISIT OUR GALLERY TO DONATE: Go to huntingtonarts.org and click “Donate.” Arts Cultural Magazine is published three times a year by the Huntington Arts Council, Inc. and is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Suffolk County, the Town of Huntington, corporations, foundations, and individuals. The Huntington Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. For information on advertising contact info@huntingtonarts.org 631-271-8423. Printed by: Richner Printing Services Michael Karff 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530 516-569-4000 ext. 288 CONTENTS 9 Huntington Summer Arts Festival In Every Issue On the cover - Featured on the front & back covers is Make Over by Natalie Parrott, Huntington HS High Arts Showcase Student Artist 18 24 15 15 Arts in Education JOURNEY 18 Artist News 21Featured Artists 33 Creative Business Member Profile Paralysis by Emily Kluberdanz, NPT-ENPT Gravel Pits by Howie Pohl Adam and Eve, Wary by Judith Caseley 21 Monarchs Paradise by Jo Wadler Grants for the Arts Exhibitions/ Gallery Events Cultural Calendar Member Organizations 24 11 29 38
Tribute to Kathie Bodily Born in Ogden, Utah Kathie moved to New York in 1970. In 1974, along with her partner Michael Rothbard, the Inter-Media Art Center (IMAC) was created in Halesite. This was the first of its kind on Long Island. The mission was to provide artists, independent producers, and non-profit organizations with access to newly evolving video technology. Over the years a much acclaimed live performance program featuring cutting edge music, dance and multimedia performances was developed. In 1983 IMAC moved to the former vaudeville theater on New York Avenue, now the Paramount. A large community of music enthusiasts and staging high quality concerts ensued. As many of you know Huntington recently lost an iconic member of the arts community, Kathie Bodily. Kathie was known to many as the Co-founder of IMAC and for her compassionate interactions with all members of the community. 6 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Kathie was an artist in her own right. She made gorgeous jewelry with fused glass that she readily shared with friends and family. Her artistic talents were infinite. A gourmet chef, master gardener and interior designer topped the list of her extensive talents. Kathie’s resilient spirit and zest for life became her reputation. She was a generous, loving personality who enjoyed meeting people everywhere she went. She was an inspiration and role model for living life to the fullest. Kathie died in her Huntington home on July 26, 2023 after fighting pancreatic cancer for four years. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. A memorial tree for Kathie was recently planted in her honor. The memorial was made possible by donations to her Memorial Tree Fund. Kathie requested that any remaining funds would be gifted to the Huntington Arts Council in support of the FREE Huntington Summer Arts Festival concerts series in the park. HAC is very grateful for Kathie’s generous gift to support the Festival and her contribution to the arts. Kathie will be greatly missed, but always remembered by her impact on the community, kindness and bright smile. IMAC Theater
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 7 Board of Directors Eileen Kathryn Boyd, a successful, creative influencer for clients and followers, started her interior design firm EKB Interiors in 1991. She created fabric collections for Duralee and is the longtime creative event designer for PINKAID Long Island. A breast cancer awareness not-forprofit, PINKAID raised over $1 million at their ‘23 annual event. Eileen’s formal training is from the Rhode Island School of Design, Parsons School of Design and the American College in Paris. Her life/ career explores the emotional aspects of art and aesthetics. Eileen’s inspirations are human and natural; shape, light and color of life convey an emotion that is central to her experience as an artist/ designer. Eileen’s artistic expression brings a sensitive reaction to those around her, defining her creative identity. Eileen looks forward to returning to the Board of HAC and continuing its vision for the Huntington community that began in 1963. Please add me to the mailing list to receive The Arts Cultural Magazine. FREE OF CHARGE Name:________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________________ State:___________ Zip:_______________ Please consider a donation to support the Arts Cultural Magazine Please mail this form to: Huntington Arts Council 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743 KENNETH O. BRITT, ESQ. Immediate Past President Ex Officio: SANDY CHAPIN ARTS IN EDUCATION Chairperson Follow: @huntingtonarts Hashtag: #huntingtonarts Check us out on: Facebook Instagram Twitter KIT SULLIVAN Vice President JOSE TUTIVEN President LEANNE GELISH Treasurer ISAIAH GRIGG Secretary DR. NICHELLE RIVERS Member at Large KASMIRA MOHANTY Member at Large KENNETH O. BRITT, ESQ. MICHAEL CATALIOTTI, ESQ. DANANGELOWE A.J SPENCER ANDREA M. GORDON EILEEN KATHRYN BOYD to
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Huntington Community Band For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine |9 The popularity and success of this cultural mainstay has always been about our community. This series was, and will continue to be developed to present a broad spectrum of culturally rich performances. The festival launches on June 21, 2024, (“Make Music Day”) and will feature over 40 performances throughout the summer well into August! Festival mainstays such as the Huntington Community Band will be joined by a broad spectrum of musical genres, dance and theater. We will continue to bring both traditionally popular acts as well as new arts and cultural experiences to the park. The details of this years Huntington Summer Arts Festival are in the initial stages. Although we aren’t able to provide specific details at this point, we are excited to follow up last year’s Latin Night with another multimedia Latin performance event. As we continue our work to put together an all-inclusive, FREE live performance schedule, please check our website for updates at www.huntingtonarts.org. We are looking forward to seeing all the long time dedicated Festival followers as well as first timers this summer on the lawn in Heckscher Park. Thank you for your ongoing support. The Huntington Arts Council, in partnership with the Town of Huntington, is working on another great year of FREE live performances this summer at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park. The collaborative nature of this year’s Festival will result in truly something for everyone. 2024 Huntington Summer Arts Festival HAC is offering our current Artist Circle members and students from JOURNEY partner schools the exclusive opportunity to create original artwork for the cover of the Summer (July) issue of our Arts Cultural Magazine. Entries should be work that has been inspired by the performance based Huntington Summer Arts Festival that brings the community together to experience live music, theatre and dance at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Heckscher Park, Huntington. A stipend of $250 will be awarded to the artist whose work is chosen for the cover of the magazine. Go to www. huntingtonarts.org for the full prospectus. Deadline: May 1, 2024 Cover Call to Dudley Music with the Swing Sessions Performers Nicole Zuraiti with the Jazz Loft Long Island Dance Consortium Latin Night
Opinion Editorial If you’re reading this, you likely share a connection or appreciation for the arts in various forms. Whether you identify as an artist, performer, teacher, parent, arts administrator, or simply find value in dedicating time to this Arts Cultural Magazine, the arts hold a special place in your life. Your attraction to the arts might stem from passion, the need for an escape, a creative outlet, or simply the joy of entertainment. While most of us may not initially seek out the arts for their economic impact, it’s essential to recognize the thriving economic engine that underpins every performance, exhibition, and artist. I take immense pride in our (Long Island Arts Alliance) role in leading Long Island’s involvement in Arts and Economic Prosperity 6, an impactful study assessing the economic and social influence of the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry. While we have always recognized the importance of the arts in our community, the study’s findings serve as a powerful reminder of its direct influence on visitor spending, job support, and visitation to the Island. Behind the scenes, there is a dynamic economic force that sustains nearly 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs across Long Island, drawing in hundreds of thousands of tourists and elevating our regional and national reputation. The arts not only contribute to the economy but also awaken our shared humanity, fostering empathy and creativity, leaving a profoundly positive impact on Long Island. 10 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Beyond enriching the lives of millions of Long Islanders annually, the arts attract visitors to our counties. Approximately 11.2% of attendees are non-local visitors, contributing an average of $63.83 per person per event beyond admission costs. Moreover, a significant portion of non-local attendees cited their primary reason for visiting Long Island as attending a performance, event, exhibit, venue, or facility, injecting over $32 million annually into our economy. Local patrons also contribute an additional $122 million each year. Each dollar invested in the arts not only fuels economic vitality but also adds beauty to our daily lives, amplifies untold stories, and ensures fair compensation for those propelling the arts and culture economy. Your visit to HAC or any local arts organization should evoke a sense of pride, knowing that your decision actively contributes to the vibrancy, economic prosperity, and cultural richness of our community. These shared arts experiences that connect us to our communities and enrich our lives, resonate with me both professionally and personally. I am so grateful and appreciative for the opportunity to advocate for the arts and more importantly raise my family here on Long Island. Arts and culture powers the creative communities where people want to live and work, where entrepreneurs and innovation thrive, and where businesses and night-time economies flourish. by LAUREN WAGNER Executive Director Long Island Arts Alliance Arts and Economic Prosperity on Long Island
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 11 Long Island Grants for the Arts 2024 Individual Artist Grant Awardee Spotlight HAC is proud to introduce Adriana Devers a 2024 NYSCA Individual Artist Grant recipient and longtime cultural partner. Adriana, Founder of Cuentos de Triadas INC., Author/Educator/Creative, has been funded for her project “Bearing in Mind - poems and vignettes of an Afro-Latina on Long Island, demystifying existence". HAC is the fiscal sponsor for the NYSCA Grant received by Adriana. This grant is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. This is the first of three consecutive articles sharing Adriana’s story that will be featured in our magazine. Adriana is an Award-winning Author, Poet, Educator, Cultural Programmer who is deeply committed to serving her community and creating immersive, culturally enriching experiences for all ages. As the Founder of Cuentos de Triadas INC. she utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to provide unique and engaging cultural programs that address the needs of underrepresented youth. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, her cultural heritage and pride of her AfroCaribbean ancestry serves as inspiration for many of her literary pieces. Her love for the arts and dedication to community involvement nourishes safe spaces, encouraging community support, and promoting a deep appreciation for our cultural heritage. Adriana’s project "Bearing in Mind - poems and vignettes of an Afro-Latina on Long Island, demystifying existence" is a collection that will explore her experiences, thoughts and reflections, intertwining childhood memories and present life. Drawing from these experiences growing up in the Dominican Republic, to her search of belonging on Long Island, the work will explore the intersections of cultural heritage, identity and the journey of navigating between two worlds. This literary collection will present self-exploration and growth, as well as a personal observation of Long Island communities, the disparity of our society, racism and other social issues we still face from a personal AfroLatinx perspective. The development of the work for 2024 will be a showcase/performance of the bilingual literary composition highlighting the artist’s AfroCaribbean roots, Taino heritage, and the ways in which cultures intertwine and help create our very own space and existence. Through this project Adriana will bring a relatable work of art for other voices like hers to feel safe, heard and appreciated. Verses with purpose beyond the aesthetic, rooted in being bicultural, bilingual, AfroLatina. Mujer, candid and unapologetic. During the month of January, Adriana focused on the planning phase, creating a writer’s map. In February, an initial poetry reading/community exchange at Westbury Memorial Public Library took place. In March, Women’s History Month, a performance will also take place. For more information on Adriana’s work go to her Creative Space https://beacons.ai/adrianadevers Grants for the Arts cont’d on pg 12
12 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Scan the code for more information on Long Island Grants for the Arts. Long Island Grants for the Arts are made possible with funds from the State & Local Partnerships (SLP) program of NYSCA and with the support of the Office of the Governor and the NYS Legislature. These funds ensure the continued success of extraordinary arts and cultural activities throughout both Nassau and Suffolk counties. Long Island Grants for the Arts cont’d Huntington Arts Council is proud to administer the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrant (SCR) program with 6 grant opportunities, five annual and one bi-monthly. SCR grants support individual artists, collectives, and nonprofit organizations to cultivate high quality, local arts projects and programming throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Go to our website for information on grants available through the Huntington Arts Council. The combined impact of the recently awarded SCR Annual 2024 Grants and bi-monthly Community Impact Grants for 2023 is significant. Of the 172 applications received, 106 were awarded with grants totaling $383,000! Flood Sensor Aunty by Sabina Sethi Unni is a comedic public theater project about disaster preparedness, starring an anthropomorphic flood sensor making a career pivot to arthouse film. Designed as public education with, and for brown aunties around Hillside Avenue and Jericho Turnpike, this will take place across late night chai and gossip spots throughout Nassau County. As a public theater artist, organizer, and urban planner, Sabina was inspired to create this project because she sees public theater as an exciting strategy for meeting people where they’re at (like Rockaway Beach on a Saturday afternoon in June) with resources, community, glitter, and fun. This is an entertaining tool to arm aunties with disaster prevention resources. 2024 Creative Communities Awardee Spotlight Jasmine Piggot’s LI Philharmonia Migration Commission will feature two new works for winds and spoken word. They will be premiered in the fall by the Long Island Philharmonia as part of a larger concert on immigration in Suffolk County along with pieces by other composers focusing on other nationalities. Jasmine’s work as a composer has focused on autobiographical works inspired by different experiences she has had as a Black woman in the field of classical music. It has been a dream of hers to bring this concept to large ensemble works. Jasmine is the granddaughter of immigrants and her works will focus on the immigration of Black people from the Caribbean, and the forced “immigration” of African slaves to the United States. 2024 Creative Individual Grant Awardee Spotlight Jasmine Piggot Composer
Micro Grant Grant Awardee Spotlight For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 13 Sabina Sethi Unni The Butterfly Effect Project’s Elite Squad dance group is so grateful to have received this grant. The funding will allow them to provide much needed supplies as well as dance instructors. The instructors offer the girls an opportunity to learn different styles and techniques of Step with use of objects. The Elite Squad will be able to reach a larger audience, participate in competitions, as well as perform throughout the Island confident in their craft as well as their look. Step is something that ties into the culture of Black America and they are thrilled to be able to perfect it and share it. 2024 Creative Learning Grant Awardee Spotlight The Elite Squad by the Butterfly Effect Project. Kara Arena Performing Harvest & Siren Songs The SCR Community Impact Micro Grant, awarded bi-monthly, is a $1,000 grant that provides year-round funding opportunities. The next deadline for applications is March 22, 2024. For more information on this grant go to www. huntingtonarts.org Harvest & Siren Songs by Kara Arena was a collaboration with local farmers from Restoration Farm in Bethpage. On what was their final Farm Stand of 2023, Kara performed her project for the community as they collected their last crops of the season. The songs are deeply tied to themes of nature. As Long Island becomes ever more polluted and concrete, Kara’s goal through music and storytelling is to remind us how much we truly need to hold on to our connection to the earth. For questions please reach out to the Grants Team: Grants for the Arts Coordinator Emily Dowd at edowd@huntingtonarts.org or Grants Assistant, Patty Eljaiek at peljaiek@huntingtonarts.org.
14 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Professional Development Series Last year was our first Pro Bono Legal Clinic and it was a success. In order to continue to provide our arts community with this invaluable resource, we will once again collaborate with the New York State Bar Association's Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law, Intellectual Property Sections, and coordinating attorneys Elissa Hecker, Debra Resnick, and Rosemarie Tully. The FREE clinics are on April 5, 2024, 11am - 2pm at The Agency, 229 Main Street Huntington, NY 11743. Artist Dafna Soltes Stein with Attorney Rosemarie Tully I am so grateful that Huntington Arts Council has the opportunity to provide these services to the Long Island Arts Community because they are the most indepth professional development series that I have been able to find. These courses have given me the tools to plan my career and the confidence to tackle it. - C. Artist The Huntington Arts Council is underway with year 2 of our FREE Professional Development Series. These entrepreneurial workshops focus on identity, community engagement and finance for Long Island based artists and organizations looking to strengthen their practice and programs. Future topics for the FREE monthly PD series will include: marketing, community engagement, business administration, finance, and funding. These workshops will be presented in a hybrid (in person/online) format. There will also be an option to receive a recording of the presentation for those who may not be able to attend day of. In-person space is limited and registration is required. For more information on upcoming PD workshops visit our website, www.huntingtonarts.org. Questions, please contact Sarah McCann at smccann@huntingtonarts.org This Professional Development Series is made possible in part with funds from Cataliotti Law and the Statewide Community Regrants – Upstate / Long Island Recovery Initiative of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Len Marks at Presenting Your Work Offering individual consultations with arts and entertainment attorneys, the clinic’s volunteer attorneys are prepared to discuss legal issues concerning entertainment, intellectual property (copyright/trademarks), licensing, corporation/ incorporation, collaboration agreements, organizational and corporate policies, among other issues. Consulting sessions will be 30 minutes in duration. Appointment slots are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Registration is on our website www.huntingtonarts.org
Arts in Education JOURNEY For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 15 My name is Fabio Esteban Amador, I am an archaeologist and visual artist originally from San Salvador, El Salvador. As a boy I was very fortunate that my family loved traveling and they would take me along adventurous journeys. One significant trip was a weekend in Esquipulas, Guatemala. I was there during a special religious holiday when all the communities from surrounding Maya villages payed homage to their gods through tribute in the form of food, clothing and prayer. Although I was only 8 years old, I was fascinated by the Maya people, their language, their clothing, and general particular characteristics of their culture. I also happened to have my very first camera with me and wanted to record all that was new to me, the colors, patterns, symbols and how people use these in constructing their identity. Arts in Education cont’d on pg 16 From its inception in 1985, by Chairperson, Sandy Chapin, the mission of JOURNEY has been to provide resources to school districts for learning about world cultures through the arts. The integration of cultural arts into the classroom encourages individualized experiences and appreciation of cultural diversity. Huntington Arts Council is excited to announce the addition of a Guatemalan Maya Discovery Chest to the extensive list of cultural chests currently in circulation as part of the JOURNEY Program. The development of a Discovery Chest is a unique, complex and personal process. Thank you to Fabio Esteban Amador for all of his time and dedication to providing HAC with the NEW Guatemalan Maya Discovery Chest. We asked Fabio to share his thoughts and inspiration during his work on this project. Guatemalan Maya Discovery Chest This curiosity and interest in learning about the Maya culture led me to become an archaeologist and continues to be my approach to studying and understanding the Discovery Chest. The Chest is an opportunity for us to learn about different cultures through their world-view. We can gain an insight into what is important in their lives by exploring the variation we can see and record in the manufacture of artifacts that are both functional and symbolic of their world and landscape. I hope that teachers and students alike approach the artifacts from Guatemala with a curiosity as to how objects were made, what patterns, symbols and colors can be discovered by closely observing, drawing and describing items that are so fundamental to a people whose origins and culture dates back to thousands of years.
16 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Arts in Education JOURNEY cont’d CTLE Cultural Arts Workshops The CTLE workshops (Professional Development for Teachers) empowers educators by fostering a deeper understanding of cultural arts and promoting inclusivity in teaching practices. HAC is a sponsor the New York State Department of Education and able to provide CTLE hours as required by NY State teaching certificate holders. Visiting Artist Adriana Devers ,Birchwood Intermediate School JOURNEY Arts in Education Program The JOURNEY program is a district wide arts in education program with multiple components; CTLE Cultural Arts Workshops, Discovery Chests, Visiting Artists and High Arts Showcase. The goal of Journey is to promote cultural diversity through the arts and arts experiences. Discovery Lending Chests Discovery Chests are shared with JOURNEY partner and non-partner schools. Made up of multiple artifacts and lesson plans, these chests provide a hands on cultural experience for students. As mentioned on pg 15 we are featuring a NEW Guatemalan Maya Discovery Chest that is available in September 2024. This unique educational tool explores themes fundamental to the Maya. Each artifact serves as a catalyst for interactive learning, from observation to sketching and photography, offering students to delve into the artistry and cultural richness of this ancient civilization. Go to our website to learn more at www.huntingtonarts.org CTLE Community Arts In Education with Candido Crespo NEW Guatemalan Maya Discovery Chest Visiting Artists JOURNEY Program provides school districts with funding to bring Visiting Artists into their schools. A directory is available offering a diverse range of cultures and artistic genres.
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 17 For information on Arts in Education and JOURNEY Program, contact Sueey Gutierrez, Arts in Education Coordinator, SGutierrez@huntingtonarts.org. Go to page 37 to learn about available 2024 scholarships, internships and intern opportunities. High Arts Showcase The High Arts Showcase features the work of our partner school high school students. This is an opportunity that enables students to gain experience in presenting their talents as well as and interacting with the arts community. Chaos Of The Mind by Jaden Finkle, Plainview old Bethpage High Arts Showcase is on view from March 26 – April 21 in our Main Street Gallery. Our partner districts for 2023-2024 are all represented in the exhibition and featured in this magazine. Student artwork from 5 of the 8 districts can be found here on this page: Commack UFSD, Harborfields CSD, Kings Park CSD, Northport-East Northport UFSD, Plainview-Old Bethpage CSD and South Huntington UFSD. Cold Spring Harbor CSD and South Huntington are represented on pg 24 with Les Deux Magots by Alden Kisner, and Self Portrait by Ava Hedstrom. Huntington UFSD is represented on front & back covers with Make Over by Natalie Parrott. Paralysis by Emily Kluberdanz, NPT-ENPT Pill Bugs by Madelyn Millen, Kings Park Keepsakes by Gabriella Messing, Harborfields For Forever by Madeline Tomei, Commack
Clemente Ettrick Clemente Ettrick’s latest work is a collaboration with New York City choreographer Bárbara Martínez whose flamenco-style dance TrashBata, is designed to increase the public’s concern about the environment. Clemente’s TrashBata collection will be exhibited alongside his Pasión: Spanish Dance collection at Great Neck’s main library. Come to the free reception, Sunday, April 20th, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM to see Bárbara perform TrashBata, and talk with both artists about their collaboration and work. Galina Carroll Galina Carroll, in collaboration with Huntington Historical Society, is researching and documenting the history of the Huntington community; transforming this knowledge into captivating sketches, illustrations and a mini textile collection. Through the creation of scarfs, bags and t-shirts adorned with historical imagery the program will engage residents in their cultural activity. For more information on the exhibition dates and location go to www. huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org 18 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Artist News Galina Carroll with an example of her work Echos of Light by Clemente Ettrick “Monet and Me - Going Home” by Mary McGrane
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 19 “Across the Great Ocean” by Virginia Mary Virginia Mary Local indie author Virginia Mary released Book I of her debut young adult fantasy series, “Across the Great Ocean”, on 2/4/24. Inspired by the pandemic and global affairs that followed, Virginia found herself immersed in the narrative of a young girl enduring similar challenges but at much higher stakes. Three years later, her work evolved into a trilogy with two spin offs in progress. To learn more: www. virginiamaryarts.com New York Dance Theatre New York Dance Theatre celebrates 50 this year! Founded by Frank Ohman, former soloist with New York City Ballet, NYDT has been at the forefront of classical training for generations. Under the artistic direction of Nicole Loizides Albruzzese, NYDT has community at the center of its mission. NYDT has 7 community based partners, offering tailored workshops, master classes, participatory events, performances, and scholarships through its Développé program, changing the lives of so many who are less fortunate. Mary McGrane Local author and artist Mary McGrane has Book 2 of the “Monet and Me” series titled “Monet and Me - Going Home” coming this Spring! Mary’s tales of art - bring a deeper exploration of some of our greatest masters and her adventures. Both books will be available on Amazon. Howie Pohl In the fall of 2023 Howie Pohl’s Gravel Pits, Chambers Bay was selected for the Primal III: The Sacred Triangle at the Vestige Concept Gallery in Pittsburgh PA and Life in Suffolk an d Street Scene, Upper West Side were picked for Interlines, Lifelines, Redlines: Social Markers of Race, Class & Economics at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts. The online exhibit The Abstract Image, sponsored by Chateau Gallery of Lexington KY, featured Howie’s Estee Lauder Building No.4 for January, the sixth time his work has been presented there. Gravel Pits by Howie Pohl Hope For Youth an NYDT Parter Donation
HAC x ARTBOii Collaboration 20 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 NEW HAC Merchandise HAC is excited to present a long awaited line of merchandise! With something for everyone, ($3-$50) our selection consists of: stickers, campfire mug, notecards featuring the artwork of Jan Guarino, Fearless Watercolors, cold weather accessories: beanie and scarf, long sleeve “Brighter Lives Through Art” T-shirt and the HAC x ARTBOii limited edition hoodie, a collaboration with Danangelowe “ARTBOii” Spencer. To present this line of merchandise Danangelowe did a “HAC lifestyle” shoot in our gallery/office. It was a great, fun way to highlight the line worn by staff, and get a behind the scenes look at our photo shoot. HAC is always open to the opportunity to collaborate whether it be with an organization, business, or in this case, an artist. When staff first discussed the development of our line of merchandise, we agreed to do something unique to HAC and reflective of our arts community. Fast forward to an exchange of ideas with Danangelowe “ARTBOii” Spencer and the creation of the limited edition hoodie. 72 HAC x ARTBOii Collaboration hoodies were produced. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity made and signed by the artist. Jade Scott in Limited Edition Hoodie with Mug, Sarah McCann in Beanie and Scarf Jade Scott in Limited Edition Hoodie, Maureen Starr in Long Sleeve T-Shirt, Sarah McCann in Beanie and Scarf Behind the Scenes with Danangelowe “ARTBOii” Spencer crown. The HAC sun at the center of the artist is representative of what is at the core of what I and many artists do, which is to radiate their truths and bring light to the world around us through art. Much like the partial sun/halo around the head that speaks on HAC, A symbol and a place where the artist can be themselves, be represented, and be given the space and platform to use their creative voice. Thank you to our artists Jan Guarino and Danangelowe “ARTBOii” Spencer for their support of creating this line of merchandise. In his own words, Danangelowe “ARTBOii” Spencer describes the design. The design consists of a boxy and playful human figure that represents “the artist” with a red beanie, which is a nod to most creatives because a beanie is a staple in our closet and a homage to Basquiat’s
Featured Artists Our annual Master’s Showcase 2024 featured artists who received a Best in Show or Honorable Mention from the previous two years of (2022 and 2023) exhibitions. The Showcase (1/9/24 – 2/4/24) presented work from the artists highlighted here. The following artist’s statements provide some insight into their inspiration and process. For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 21 Mara Ahmed My art practice is invested in trespassing borders and disrupting political and cultural demarcations. The attempt to tell marginalized stories and build community shapes my work across multiple disciplines and narrative formats. The personal is political in my practice. In conjunction with my NYSCA-funded film, Return to Sender: Women of Color in Colonial Postcards & the Politics of Representation (2023), I created three collages that subvert the colonial male gaze in found postcards from the British Raj (early 1900s). By removing South Asian women from derelict studios, where they were subject to Orientalist fantasies, and reconnecting them to their roots, I hoped to reimagine history. I placed the women in their native cities, packed with architectural details and constructed brick by brick with Indian textiles. Fatimah in Lucknow by Mara Ahmed Stephanie Angelo This series of paintings is inspired by my origin story. It incorporates themes of ancestry, heritage and cultural art. The traditional motifs of Polish Wycinanki (paper cutting) are transformed by paint through the bold lines and colors of the pop artist, combining older styles and forms of art with one that is distinctly modern and entirely my own. Taking Root by Stephanie Angelo Stephanie Folk My art is an exploration of the profound relationship between color, emotion, and the power of visual storytelling—a journey that transcends the boundaries of the canvas and resonates within the hearts of those who engage with it. Color is not merely a visual element in my work; it is the language through which I articulate the nuances of human experience. In this series, I have introduced a unique element to amplify the emotional resonance of each piece—an animal companion. These creatures, whether symbolic or literal, serve as conduits for emotional expression. I invite my audience to look closely at each completed piece and feel the story being displayed. Loyalty by Stephanie Folk Featured Artists cont’d on pg 22
22 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Featured Artists cont’d Arlene Gernon I look for drama in the everyday sights with emphasis on bright light and darkness. Wild Berries by Arlene Gernon Jeanette Martone As I depict my subjects, they are captured in a moment of time, revealing their inner grace and the beauty that can be found in the infinite details of their environment. The simplicity and purity of pencil and paper lend an immediacy and intimacy to the work, creating an interconnectedness between subject and viewer. Marcia Miller I have been an abstract painter for more than 40 years. Color, form and intuition have been the driving forces behind my inspiration. Both the internal as well as the observation of the environment influence the outcome of my work. The freedom to see what comes forth has always been a surprise and joy in my practice. This allows me to trust the process. The cycle of birth, life, death have been current themes in recent work. The current paintings on paper and canvas are inspired by rain. The complex and beautiful process of rain which is a constant birth, life, death cycle both in nature as well as symbolically and metaphorically. Dream Rain I by Marcia Miller Joanna Szczurkowska Using watercolors, I express my love for the natural world and botanical art. I try to capture the moment when the light shines and exposes the magnificent beauty and magic of a flower. Light and shadow can change our perception of colors. Changes can be big and bold but often subtle and easy to overlook. I try to capture the most subtle variations in color and value. I rely heavily on the color magenta which represents universal harmony and balance. I use layers to achieve richness of colors and the flower is usually set against a dark background with delicate bokeh effects that look like light reflections flickering around the petals. With great attention to details I try to bring my illustrations to life. My Peony Garden by Joanna Szczurkowska
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 23 For more information about our Exhibition Program and Small Group Shows go to www.huntingtonarts.org Julianna Kirk Our glorious home, planet Earth, once majestically temperate and grand in appearance, has been enduring our trashing her surfaces until she reached her saturation point with our rubbish. She seems, in her desperation, to look back at us, crouched and squinting with our onslaught, opening one eye and saying, “What have you done to me?” We face an existential crisis for human life. We need to be good stewards of Mother Earth. Our species has highly developed intellects allowing us to pass on wisdom of past mistakes. All life forms are in jeopardy. What are we doing? The Corporate Connection Distorting Science For Profit by Julianna Kirk Dorothy Chanin When I viewed my flower images on my computer, I was amazed to see some interesting insects on the buds. This one is a colorful moth, Ailanthus webworm. It looks like a bug or beetle; in flight it looks like a wasp. Ailanthus webworm by Dorothy Chanin The Jeep by Jeanette Martone Jennifer Salta These two pieces are part of an ongoing series called Specimens from My Daydreams. In this body of work I am combining my skills as a jeweler and my love for visual arts. I am neuroatypical meaning my brain works in an unusual and special way. Where I lack in some areas my brain over compensates in others. I think in images and my thoughts are frantic and colorful. My art since childhood has always been my way of being seen. This Can Exist Here by Jennifer Salta Jo Wadler I’m an artist whose passion for creating comes from the appreciation of nature and the creatures that live in it. I try to express and recreate their beauty through multiple mediums. Monarchs Paradise by Jo Wadler
24 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Exhibitions / Gallery Events Exhibition Juror Jeremy Dennis February 13 – March 17, 2024 Featuring: Dory Agazarian, Stephanie Angelo, Georgia Ardito, John Benevento, Judith Caseley, Julianna Dernbach, Sophia Ferrera, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Arlene Gernon, Stephanie Giovinco, Alyson Graci, Jan Guarino, Veronica Haley, Carla Herbert, Faith Hoerning, Holly Hunt, Steven Johnson, Barbara Keenan, Christophe Lima, Andrew Marion, Jeanette Martone, Louise Mcclellan, Kristen Memoli, Alina Mendonis, Sue Miller, Judith Musaro, Lily Parlakian, Howie Pohl, Bernice Rausch, Kaelyn Schmidt, Emma Seaton, Joseph Weinreb. Artists were invited to submit work with a focus on portraiture and emphasis on relationships and how we communicate. “As a guest juror for the upcoming exhibit ‘Face to Face,’ I was inspired by the diverse submissions showcasing a profound exploration of human expression and connection. My selection process prioritized authenticity, emotional resonance, and innovative perspectives, resulting in a collection that captures the depth and richness of the human experience through the lens of each artist’s unique vision.” Jeremy Dennis regarding his juror experience. Jeremy Dennis is a contemporary fine art photographer and an enrolled Tribal Member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation in Southampton, NY. and is based on the Reservation. Dennis’s work explores Indigenous identity, culture, and history, as well as environmentalism and the supernatural. One of his notable projects is “Ma’s House,” a residency program and exhibit space for BIPOC artists on the Shinnecock Reservation. Face to Face Adam and Eve, Wary by Judith Caseley Student Exhibition March 26 – April 21, 2024 The High Arts Showcase, is a component of the JOURNEY Arts in Education Program. This exhibition features the work of our 8 partner districts high school students. This opportunity enables students to gain experience in presenting their talents and interacting with the arts community. The 8 districts are: Cold Spring Harbor CSD, Commack UFSD, Harborfields CSD, Huntington UFSD, Kings Park CSD, Northport-East Northport UFSD, Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District and South Huntington UFSD. Thank you to Blick for sponsoring High Arts Showcase High Arts Showcase Les Deux Magots by Alden Kisner ,Cold Spring Harbor Self Portrait by Ava Hedstrom, South Huntington
For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 25 The Evolution of Style: Wearable 3.0 Juried by Emily Werner Submissions Due: March 21, 2024 April 30 – June 2, 2024 The Huntington Arts Council invites artists to participate in The Evolution of Style: Wearable Art 3.0. Entries should meet at the intersection of fashion and fine art through design, costume, or culture. Submissions should be representative of the creative inspiration found in garments, accessories (art jewelry, masks, bags, etc.), and representational work (design boards, performance images, etc.). Items should be either modified or created from scratch. To submit go to www.huntingtonarts.org Emily Werner (@feelgoodfiberarts) is the Curator and Collections Manager at the Huntington Historical Society. She has a Master’s Degree in Fashion and Textile History and Conservation from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She is a weaver and knitter and enjoys replicating historic patterns as well as experimenting with other historic fiber crafts. Her favorite place to be is at the intersection of textiles and history. Main Street Gallery 213 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743 Huntingtonarts.org • info@huntingtonarts.org Main St. Benefactor Members Beth and Charles Levinthal Carolyn Sampson in memory of Cindy Kiebitz Bette and Paul Schneiderman Thank you to our Sustaining Benefactor Po Zhang Follow Us On favorite place to be is at the inte Call to Member Artist Opportunity Submissions Due: April 23, 2014 June 11 – July 14, 2024 “Members Showcase” is the 2024 Huntington Arts Council Artist Members Show. This annual exhibit is an opportunity exclusively for our artist members, to showcase a piece of their work in our gallery along with their member peers. For more information go to www.huntingtonarts.org. Member’s Showcase 2024 Obsessive Circular Disorder by John Benevento by Emily Werner
26 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Passion by Tiny Collective Creativity is something that is inherently human. Other animals may dance to mate, or use tools to find food, but humans are the only animals on the planet that will use the arts as a conduit through which our stories may be told. Tiny Collective (Sage Cotignola, Jeffery Espinoza, Audreiana Lesty, and Christophe Lima) has been incredibly privileged to be a part of the stories being told throughout the Long Island communities that we serve with Huntington Arts Council. Andrew T. Morrow Elementary School Mural Sage Cotignola As muralists working in community spaces, our job is to keep our eyes, ears and minds open to what the community members are most passionate about. We are fortunate enough to be able to learn what makes each community special through the specific ideas, identities and experiences they share with us. Our role is to then translate those thoughts and feelings into something visual and immediate. Passion fuels the process from start to finish. That passion is deeply felt when community members engage with the murals during the painting process and after installation. The enthusiasm and dialogues generated by community members, in turn, inspires the passion in us to continue practicing our craft as artists. The skills that we’ve honed over the years of our lives are skills born out of passion. To be an artist takes an incredible amount of passion, dedication, and grit. The doodles that helped us deal with this crazy world are now usable drawing, painting, and design skills that we can use to help others realize their visual stories. The arts have given us hope, purpose, and life, and it’s only ethical to share that with others. The murals that we create in collaboration with the community members will be in place long after we pack up at the end of the painting process. They will stand as a positive reflection, and a small token of pleasure and hope for the community in which they are installed. Jeffery Espinoza Christophe Lima
Tiny Collective could not do what we do without the community members that have collaborated with us. The leadership of the libraries, schools, and organizations that we’ve worked with have provided meaningful insight and detail into the communities that they serve. They know who their public is. They know the local flora and fauna. They know where their people come from, and where they’re going. It’s been Tiny Collective’s pleasure to translate all that they have shared with us into the artworks that we make for them. It’s a connection that we human beings seek, really. The arts, murals in this case, provide that connection. It’s a visual understanding of shared experience, a reflection of the community that Tiny Collective is all too happy to be able to provide. Tiny Collective, funded by Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment Program and supported by HAC, recently completed projects in the Huntington Public Library Station Branch, and Andrew T. Morrow Elementary School seen here. Huntington Public Library Station Branch Murals For information on advertising, contact info@huntingtonarts.org | 631-271-8423 | SPRING 2024 Arts Cultural Magazine | 27 For more information on partnering with the Tiny Collective team email tinycollective@huntingtonarts.org
28 | Arts Cultural Magazine | SPRING 2024 Letter from the Supervisor Town Council E very year, as the weather begins to warm, and flower buds are bursting to get out, the Town and its cultural partners at the Huntington Arts Council are busy preparing for our Spring and Summer concert and music series. Each year, the Town offers programming made up of singers, big bands, dance troupes, musicals, and the spoken word free for all to experience. Here in the Town of Huntington, we pride ourselves on offering something for everyone, and this Spring will not disappoint. Our partners at the Huntington Arts Council have a variety of exciting things planned, as they gear up for the busy summer months filled with music, dance and performances of community- based organizations. www.huntingtonarts.org Our Historical partners, the Huntington and Northport Historical Societies, the Walt Whitman Birthplace, and the Whaling Museum in Cold Spring Harbor, all have fascinating offerings, so be sure to check out their websites for the latest information: www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org www.northporthistorical.org www.waltwhitman.org www.cshwhalingmuseum.org We welcome you to come and enjoy the most fascinating downtown on Long Island. Take a minute to stop in the Gallery at the Arts Council. Then, continue your travels to Heckscher Park and take in Long Island’s best at the Heckscher Museum of Art opening Saturday, March 23 running until Sunday May 5! Come indulge, engage, and help continue to make Huntington the Cultural Capital of Long Island! ED SMYTH Huntington Town Supervisor EDMUND J. SMYTH Huntington Town Supervisor Greg Wagner is the current Director of Cultural Affairs for the Town of Huntington. Greg has worked in government and higher education over the past five years. He has extensive television credits as an actor, screenwriter and film producer. GREG WAGNER HAC ADVISORY BOARD: TOWN APPOINTEE THERESA MARI Town Councilwoman BROOKE A. LUPINACCI Town Councilwoman DR. DAVE BENNARDO Town Councilman SALVATORE FERRO Town Councilman
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