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'Embracing Our Differences' opening
Exhibit on diversity at LIM showcases 30 billboard-sized works by local artists
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On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages in Stony Brook will hold the opening of the third annual "Embracing Our Differences Long Island" exhibit, a project of the Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding. The exhibit, which will run through Oct. 23 will feature approximately 30 billboard-sized art works created by Long Island artists, on the subject of diversity.
While approximately 120 artists submitted their work, noted Steven Schrier, executive director of the center, actually the project involved many more artists as many participating art teachers prescreened their students' contributions and some entries were actually group submissions.
Artists were able to develop their work in a wide variety of media, such as oil painting, watercolors, digital images, etc., but were required to submit their work to the center as a digital image so accepted works could be enlarged and printed on vinyl banners.
For the first time since its inception three years ago, the exhibit will be held at the Long Island Museum. In the spring, the outdoor exhibit will move to the Nassau County Art Museum. As with past exhibits, some of the banners may be borrowed by qualified organizations.
Noted Schrier, banners from the first two exhibits have been borrowed by the Commack School District, the Syosset School District, St. Hugh's Church in Huntington and the East End Arts Council to be used with various programs they sponsored. Hofstra University will be borrowing a number of banners for a conference being held in October.
The original idea for the local exhibit came about when Vicki Wacksman, chairperson of the board of directors of the center saw a similar exhibit in Sarasota, Fla. The Suffolk CHDHU, unlike the Florida group, chose to open the exhibit to all artists, professional as well as amateur, children as well as adults. "We thought it would be more effective to have the involvement of the whole community," noted Schrier. It gave the schools a chance to address the issues of diversity and tolerance with the children.
Expect this year's exhibit to be every bit as moving as the two previous ones. Noted Bill Peresman of last year's exhibit, "I just came back from a walk through the new exhibit on the Huntington Village Green. One word: MAGNIFICENT." Other terms used to describe the exhibit were "powerful", "exciting," "hopeful" and "child friendly."
The artwork was selected by a panel of curators: Beth Levinthal of the Hofstra Art Museum, Howardena Pindell, artist and professor of art at Stony Brook University and William Ayers of the Long Island Museum.
On Oct. 8 a reception, which will be open to the public, will be held on the grounds of the museum beginning at 4 pm. Scheduled to speak at the reception will be Assemblyman Steve Englebright, presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature Bill Lindsay, Suffolk County Community College interim President George Gatta Jr., chair of the Suffolk CHDHU Vicki Wacksman and Long Island Museum Executive Director Jackie Day. Many of the artists will be present as well.
Also at the reception will be Joselo Lucero, brother of Marcelo Lucero, Patchogue murder victim, allegedly the result of a bias attack and retired Maj. Gen. Joseph McNeil, one of the Greensboro Four. On Feb. 1 in 1960 four African American students, later known as the Greensboro Four, staged a sit in at the local Woolworths where they were not served at the "white only" lunch counter. The silent protest grew over the next few days and sparked a series of such protest demonstrations in the south. McNeil, who currently lives in Hempstead, has remained active in the civil rights movement.
In addition, many community partners will be presenting special programs throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties now through early December. Suffolk County Community College, Brentwood will hold Suffolk County Unity Day on Oct. 8 beginning at 9:30 am. For further information call 853-4738.
On Nov. 9 from 8 am to 3 pm the Council for Prejudice Reduction will hold its annual conference at the Staller Center and Wang Center, Stony Brook University. For further information on this conference, call 244-4234 or 689-6603.
The center will provide a docent to conduct a tour of the exhibit for groups. In addition, an educational guide has been developed for teachers. It is available online or by mail. The outdoor exhibit is free and open to the public. For further information on the Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding and "Embracing Our Differences Long Island," go to www.chdhu.org or call 451-4700. For further information on the Long Island Museum, go to www.longislandmuseum.org or call 751-0066.
Participating artists:
Jocelyn Alvarado, Brentwood
Rani Carson, Riverhead
Jason Chen, Jericho
Max Cohen, East Rockaway
Heather Crean, Plainview
Sandro Diani, Miller Place
Jake Goldsmith, Plainview
Yarleth Gomez, Brentwood
William Grabowski, Huntington
Station
Rebecca Haber, Plainview
Iris Kelmenson, Massepequa
Caroline Kugler, Cold Spring Harbor
Cory Lezama, Bay Shore
Ryan LoScalzo, Huntington
Naomi Love, Cold Spring Harbor
Long Ma, Syosset
Lorraine Mecklosky, Stony Brook
Eve Molis, Hewlett
Chris Mui, Plainview
Natalie Ospina, Lynbrook
Anna Maria Philippeaux, Wheatley Heights
Maureen Radigan, Ronkonkoma
Brandon Rosenblum, Plainview
Doris Rowe, Northport
John Scarola, Kings Park
Kimberly Shapiro, Bohemia
Mallory Simon, Plainview
Gabriele Stein, Huntington
Aida Wojcik, Ronkonkoma
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