The Art League is ringing in the New Year with a full slate of exciting exhibits and events for 2016. We are thrilled to start the year with our “Black Voices” exhibition opening January 16. The works on display are stunning and dramatic and fit beautifully in our spacious gallery with the life-size sculptures and panels along with paintings and various sculptures on display.

The Art League of Long Island is proud to announce an addition to our library wing with the official opening (coming soon!) of its magnificent art book collection donated by Mrs. Lorraine Grace. The prized collection of nearly 2,000 art books and digital material boasts fine reproductions of the great European masters from museums around the world on a vast array of topics covering a variety of mediums. The reference library will be open to Art League members, faculty and students. The library is organized by our volunteer committee, led by Joe Peragallo. Since the library is a resource for creativity and inspiration, a lecture series presented by Debbie Wells will be offered as a way of sharing the valuable information drawn from the books (pun intended!) with those interested in understanding art and art history.

The entrance to the library will soon be transformed from a drab blank wall into a hand-painted mural depicting shelves with books and other items one might have found in Mrs. Grace’s personal library. To personalize the book titles, we are inviting our members and supporters to have their family names put on book spines for a nominal sum; or other objets d’art, artist casts or sculptures for just a bit more. Art League Board Chairperson Debbie Wells is the artist behind this exciting project that will be a part of the Art League for years to come. To have your name painted on the mural, please contact the Art League office at (631) 462-5400 x222 or place your order online.

This year learn something new by trying a new artistic medium. Join us on TRYDAY nights on select Fridays to sample a workshop. Art League instructors will give you a taste of what goes on in their classes, and you get to go home with a finished work of art. Or take the plunge: browse the spring catalog and select from hundreds of classes starting between now and May.

Best wishes for a creative New Year!,

Charlee Miller,

Executive Director, Art League of Long Island

The month of December kicked off with the smashing success of our Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair. There was a record turnout of discerning holiday shoppers and the most amazing art and craft work on the Island right here at the Art League. Many thanks to Bobbie, Zach, and all our wonderful volunteers for making this such a great event!

Coming up on December 11 is TRY-DAY night, a one-time three-hour sampler workshop of some of our classes. For $35 you get a 3-hour workshop with all materials included and your very own work of art to take home. Register early to ensure your spot and save $5 off workshop price. Or if you prefer, stop by and catch a free art demonstration that night. Kudos to Marlene Loewy for developing such a successful, well-received series of fun Fridays.

Then on December 13 we welcome back Alex Katlan, aka “The Art Detective” from last year’s Art Talk. In this Art Talk based on his book “The Palette Reveals the Artist: The Grumbacher Artist Palette Collection and the Salmagundi Club Palette Collection”, Alex will share his experiences working with and restoring the prized collection as well as amusing anecdotes from his storied career as an art conservator.

Join us in the gallery on the afternoon of Saturday, December 19 to hear the gospel group “Believe” and see the “Warriors of Faith Mime Ministry” of the Durham A.M.E. Zion Church of Bay Shore’s uplifting performance. This event is free and open to the public.

We’ve appealed to Santa, and now we are appealing to you. As we approach the end of the year, please take a moment to consider giving towards our annual year-end appeal for donations. As a not-for-profit we depend on the support of the Art League family of students, members, local community, and businesses so that we can give back to all of you with a full schedule of interesting exhibits and events. Donate online now, it’s as easy as a click away.

Best,

Charlee Miller,

Executive Director, Art League of Long Island