We are keeping up the momentum here at the Art League and have many exciting activities and plans.

First, please join us this Sunday at 2pm in the Art League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery for an Afternoon Tea Tasting with Farrah La Ronde-Hutchison, environmental scientist and creator of her own line of Gaia’s Essence Teas. Ceramics instructors Jo-Ann Gartner, Gina Mars, Russell Pulick, Toni Rosembaum, and Ruth Sachs will exhibit their handmade tea sets and pottery at the event as well. Visitors are welcome to purchase any tea or ceramic item they wish. Bring a friend – the event is free and open to the public.

On February 17 at 7pm, noted printmaker Dan Welden will be discussing his residency and experience as an invited artist at the Guanlan Printmaking Base in China. It was through his residency at Guanlan that Dan was inspired to bring Li Kang’s woodcut prints to the US for exhibition in our gallery. There is no charge to attend the discussion.

I am thrilled to announce the Art League’s partnership with the Suffolk Cooperative Library System. All Suffolk County residents with a library card and who are new to the Art League will receive a free one-year introductory membership to the Art League. Art League instructors will be conducting art demonstrations at various libraries in Suffolk County, shining a spotlight on the Art League and their classes. If you would like to learn more about the program please contact Julie McLocklin at jmclocklin@artleagueli.org. Julie will be interning with us as part of completion of her Master’s degree in Art History/Museum Studies at The City College of New York and is responsible for marketing the Art League and its instructors to the Suffolk Library system.

Have you ever wanted to find a place to just get away and paint or draw on your own terms? Starting this spring we are piloting a new program at the Art League where you can do just that. Share space in one of our large studios with eleven other people on Friday evenings, or weekend afternoons. Each studio will be open for three hours on those days, come as often as you wish. It is advised studio space is reserved in advance as space is limited, but if there is room in the studio we can be flexible and work with you. If painting and drawing from the model is your thing, we will also have a studio open for that purpose as well, following that same schedule.

Also on the drawing board for this spring are “Trydays on Fridays”. Curious to learn about a particular class but want to know more before you are ready to sign up? “Trydays on Fridays” will give you sneak peek at what to expect. On select Fridays in the three hours between 6:30 and 9:30pm, Art League instructors will run through a short session, demonstrating class activities. Each “Tryday” will feature two or three classes. If you would like to know more about a particular class and would like to see a demonstration, please send your request to info@artleagueli.org. Details and rates concerning Trydays and studio sharing to come.

Art never stops. Neither do we. While public schools are closed this winter break we will be open for a few fun workshops for kids and grown-ups, too. Register now, we still have openings for sessions coming up next week. We also plan to be open during spring break.

Please join me in welcoming Elizabeth Kisseleff as the Art League’s new Art Education Program Director. Elizabeth was most recently Director of Non-Degree Credit Programs at Pratt Institute. In her years of experience she has worn many of the hats that she will find herself in at the Art League, making her a perfect fit for our organization. In addition, Marianne Mead will be joining us as Summer Art Adventure Program Director, spearheading a newly re-vamped program administering and teaching new programs at the new SAA location at the Chestnut Hill School in the Half Hollow Hills School District.

With so many changes afoot and innovations in the studios, I welcome your input as we try new things. I encourage you to reach out to me and share your thoughts.

Best,

Charlee Miller,

Executive Director, Art League of Long Island 

The Art League welcomes the New Year with many new beginnings, new programs and a fond farewell to a long-time member of the Art League family.

As you may know we have also launched the Atelier Program, offering students the flexibility to work under a classically trained artist throughout the year, with options of attending full or partial sessions. Additionally, the sampler program allows students to “try out” the program without any obligation to attend and pay for the full run of class sessions. Michelle Palatnik’s Atelier Art Portfolio Prep for Teens and College Bound Art Students offers individualized instruction and mentoring tailored to the schedule and needs of the student and has very flexible attendance accommodations.

The Summer Art Adventure Program enters its 20th year with many changes as well. The Early Childhood and Young Artist programs are moving from the Elwood School District to a school located in the Half Hollow Hills School District, which happens to be the Art League’s home district. We welcome Nikki Walsh Girgenti as the new Teen Portfolio Summer Program Instructor. Nikki has many years of experience at the Art League as an instructor and as the Summer Art Adventure Assistant Program Director. We are in the process of making the final selection of our new Summer Art Adventure Program Director and hope to make an announcement soon.

Later this month on the 18th, Anahi DeCanio and Lisa Renee Pomerantz will be giving an Art Talk in the gallery titled “What Every Artist Should Know: Art Licensing Business & Copyright Protection in the Digital Age. Anahi and Lisa will share their knowledge of establishing yourself as an artist/businessperson from their years of experience in the field. This is the first in a planned series of monthly Art Talks in the gallery.

Our next Art After Dark will be on Friday, January 23. Bring your friends and family, the event is free and open to the public. We look forward to sharing a fun evening of art, music, and refreshments with you!

We are sad to see Joanne Nielsen, our long-time Program Director, move on from the Art League after 16 years of loyal service. We wish the best for Joanne in her new endeavors. Joanne’s shoes will be difficult to fill, your patience is much appreciated as we search for that unique person.

Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year,

Charlee Miller,

Executive Director, Art League of Long Island