The Holidays are here, the end of the year draws near. 2014 was a hubbub of activity, with a full schedule of special activities and events. We promise much more to come in 2015.

The Art League’s 51st Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair held on December 6 & 7 brought out many discerning shoppers looking for that perfect gift. There were plenty of smiling faces and full shopping bags at this well attended event. Congratulations to the Fair’s award winners: Best in Show winner Chloe Wang of Chloe Fine Art, Award of Excellence winner Margie and Bill Lombard of M & B Jewelry Inc., and Honorable Mentions Justin Cavagnaro (Burning Both Ends), Barbara Federmann of Soul Vessel Designs, and Chris Zec of Chris Zec Photography.

Congratulations also go to the winners of the Members’ Exhibition: Award of Excellence winners Stan Mehlman, Ray Rothaug, Janice Tozzo, Kathleen Ullman, Holly Black, William A. Dodge, Linda Funk, Harold Gubnitsky; Honorable Mention winners Patricia Russac, Jeanne Murphy, Liz Jorg Masi, Sally Shore, Neil S. Stein, Anthony Bacarella, Jeanette Dick, Greg Dorata, Susan Gowens, Maxine Jurow, and Estelle Zarowin. These 19 artists were selected from among more than 200 works by guest juror Lisa Chalif, curator of the Heckscher Museum of Art. Part Two is on exhibit through January 4.

The Art League was host to the first annual Inbeon Con on December 13. Kudos to Art League instructor Eric Hutchison for organizing this exciting event. Costumed characters mingled with kids of all ages from from little tykes to the grown-up kind. A fun day was had by all!

The first of a series of monthly lecture series will be happening in January, exact date to be determined. The lecture is titled “What Every Artist Should Know: Art Licensing Business & Copyright Protection in the Digital Age”. Art League Board Member and Creative Director Anahi DeCanio will share her knowledge based on her years of professional experience with art licensing and branding. Art League Advisory Council member and attorney Lisa Renee Pomerantz will cap off the lecture with advice based on her extensive expertise in Intellectual Property rights.

In keeping with the Holiday spirit, please remember friends and family with the gift of art. Pick a specific class, workshop, membership, or a gift certificate towards any class of their choosing. Works of art make a perfect gift – peruse the Members’ Exhibition on view in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery and purchase a lovely painting, sculpture, ceramic, or jewelry item.

At this time of the year as many of you are deciding on your charitable giving plans, please consider sponsoring the many activities and programs the Art League offers throughout the year!

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, holiday season,

Charlee Miller,

Executive Director, Art League of Long Island 

As we approach the end of the year, rather than winding down, the Art League is kicking things into high gear. We have a full slate of exhibits and events happening at the Art League between now and the end of 2014.

Tomorrow night, on the 7th, Franklin Hill Perrell will conduct the last in a series of three lectures. This one is titled “Long Island Masters: Artists in our Midst”, covering the works of celebrated artists who have called Long Island home. Stay alert and look around you, you just might see one or two of them in the audience. This Sunday is the opening of the Art League’s 59th Annual Members’ Exhibition. We’ve come a long way from that first annual exhibition. In the past few years we’ve had the need to split the show into two parts to accommodate more than 200 works created by our many talented members.

Next up, the answer to a question the Art League has heard many times, “How do I promote my art and get it out there”? The Art League’s new board chairperson, Debbie Wells, will give a talk on November 24 at 7pm titled “The Artist’s Self-Promotion Checklist”. As an award-winning graphics designer and communications specialist, Debbie will advise you on best practices used in branding, social media, and media outreach.

The Art League’s 51st Annual Holiday Fine Art & Craft Fair will take place on December 6 and 7. This is a fun, family-friendly event chock full of unique shopping opportunities, live art demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Then on 12/13/14 (remember that date!), the Art League hosts the first InbeonCon, a comic “convention” that focuses on the artists who create all those cool animated characters. Artists will exhibit and sell their work, and there will be other fun activities. Visitors to the event are invited to come dressed up as their favorite character in keeping with the family-friendly atmosphere! Many thanks to computer graphics instructor Eric Hutchison for organizing this event, with 50% of the proceeds to benefit the Art League.

As 2014 draws to a close, it is also that time of year to plan annual year-end charitable giving. We will soon be reaching out to our supporters and friends of the Art League and ask you to consider donating time or funds to support the many activities, events, and opportunities we bring to the community, something we have been doing with gusto for 59 years. In the meantime, avail yourself of the many things the Art League has to offer. Please stop by and visit the gallery to see the exhibit, join us at the Holiday Fair, or sign up for our eye-opening lectures.

PS.  Veteran’s Day is Tuesday, November 11 and as we honor those who have served their country, I’d like to remind our brave active duty and veterans as a token of our appreciation the Art League offers free membership plus an additional 10% off every class.  This offer is valid not just for the one day but all year long.