DIRECTOR’S CORNER

January 2026

Dear friends,

Happy New Year!  I hope that you had a wonderful and joyous holiday season.

Thank you for all of your year-end contributions.  Without your continued support, we would not be able to offer the wide variety of programs that are able to, month after month, year after year.  A full list of year-end donors can be found here.

We have some great new things happening!  Join us for new workshops in Painting, Mixed Media, and Watercolor.  We have  new classes with Derek Owens and Margaret Minardi.  We have another Try Night planned for February 13th – perfect for a date night or for a night out with friends.  

Our Members’ Exhibition will reopen on January 6th.  Join us for a Members’ Only Salon Discussion moderated by Christine Donnelly.

Or simply renew your membership or make a donation to ensure that future generations of artists can be a part of the Art League of Long Island for another 70+ years.

And finally, save the date for our new fundraiser, “Love, Picasso” on Saturday, November 14th.  More details to come.

Thank you again – to everyone who continues to be a part of our community every day.  I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Sincerely,

Marianne Della Croce

Executive Director

 

December 2025

The Art League of Long Island Celebrating Our Community:
70 Years of Long Island’s Artists

Dear Friend,

Thank you for supporting the Art League of Long Island (ALLI). I am incredibly grateful for your
generosity as we honored our 70th Anniversary this year. We continued to celebrate our artist
community while thriving, through enriching exhibitions, programs, and classes, which continue
to expand our artistic expression.

The 2025 Annual Appeal is more important and necessary than ever. Your donation
ensures community impact – by providing a safe space where today’s students are inspired to
create…for another 70 years and beyond.

The Mission – The Annual Appeal will fund unrestricted working capital to support the Art
League’s mission. The Art League’s mission is the promise we live by; it’s the reason we
exist. Since 1955, artists, teachers and dreamers have come for inspiration. Children and
adults of all abilities learn and develop their artistic skills in our studios. Outreach programs
bring art to underserved communities. Artists are rewarded in first-class fine arts exhibitions.

The Impact is seen in each of our artists. Meet three of our 2024-2025 Resident Artist
Members, thriving creators who we welcomed openly, while providing them freedom to be
inspired to create.

Anna Laimo, (she/her) says, “The community at ALLI offers a safe and inspiring space where
artists can freely create and support one another. By contributing to the ALLI community, I feel
a sense of fulfillment, knowing I might offer the same encouragement and connection to
another artist who feels isolated, uncertain, or alone. Here, I was able to sharpen my existing
skills. I enrolled in The Painter’s Path with David Peikon. This class presented an invaluable
opportunity to learn from a renowned painter eager to share his expertise. In this class, I
refined my understanding of color and composition — knowledge that has greatly enriched my
practice. I am grateful for these experiences, and I credit the RAM program for allowing me to
learn, grow, and create alongside the best.”

Christine Donnelly, (she/her) presented a cyanotype workshop this year for other artists.
Additionally, her acrylic piece, Regeneration, won Honorable Mention in our 2025 62nd Annual
Long Island Artist Exhibition. Christine says, “ALLI is ‘a place where people of all ages and
artistic abilities can come to explore new materials and learn from talented and approachable artists who generously share their vast creative knowledge and experiences. Everyone is an artist when they’re at the Art League.’

Her sentiments cross over to every studio and student at ALLI, whether a beginner who was interested in our Colored Pencil workshop or an advanced oil painter. It’s home. And we want it to be your home for another 70 years.

The Vision – Our vision is to attract, inspire, teach and awaken the hearts and minds of all who long to immerse themselves in a community where art is a fundamental part of life. To fulfill the vision, we must continue to renew and refresh our programs and exhibitions, and most importantly, continue to build a stronger philanthropic community.

We want nothing more than to be the viable organization the Art League of Long Island deserves to be; one where the
community of welcoming artists motivate and challenge each other. One where by providing a safe space to all of
Long Island’s artists, we provide a comfortable community without any pressure, pre-qualifications or judgment.

Says CJ Escobar-Rodgers (he/him), “ALLI offers space for both individual growth and meaningful community. In a time when families and communities are increasingly fractured by political division, places like ALLI feel more vital than ever — providing a warm, supportive environment where people connect through a shared love of expression. It is not only an art center, but a model for how creative spaces can anchor and unify us.” CJ is planning an exhibition of his own work at the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery in 2026.

You make it happen. Support ALLI this year, ensure we are able to provide this space for future artists for another 70 years. After all, if you don’t support ALLI, who will?

Warmest regards for a happy and healthy holiday season,

 

Marianne Della Croce
Executive Director

P.S. Donations can be made on the website at www.artleagueli.org or
you can use the enclosed envelope where you can make a donation and
enroll in (ARGP) Automatic Monthly or Quarterly gifts at the same time.
Please consider automatic donations.