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 

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