Council Provides Forum to Local Talent

by Lisa Mancuso | The Observer | Feb 17, 2011

With mounds of snow still on the ground and a definite chill still in the air, who doesn't dream of escaping to a tropical paradise? If a trip somewhere warm isn't on your horizon, you may want to check out Island Passions, an exhibition that features the work of local artists Jennifer Lau, John Ellsworth, Pamela Long Nolan and Bobbi Schneider.

Sponsored by the Huntington Arts Council, the exhibition will be running from now through Monday, April 4, at their Art-trium Gallery located at 25 Melville Park Road in Melville, just a few blocks from Walk Whitman Mall. Art-trium Gallery Curator William Grabowski brought the artists together in this exhibit that explores the depths of island life.

"This exhibit gives the chosen artists an opportunity to use their deeply creative skills to address the concept of "Island" - be it a tropical paradise, a harsh city street, or our own Long Island. Through a variety of media, each artist instills their personal voices in their work and then shares those passions with us," said Mr. Grabowski.

Jennifer Lau, a photographer who lives in Northport, said she was excited to be part of Island Passions. On display in the exhibit are her photographs of Crab Meadow, Northport Harbor and a recent trip to Key West. "It's fun to be in this show. It has a warm breezy tropical feel. There are two painters and myself and John. I've always loved his work," she said. "Pamela's paintings are beautiful and overwhelming. Bobbi's are very large. They are beautiful abstract images."

A popular photographer from Northport, Mr. Ellsworth's work emphasizes light, shadow, water and reflections as a visual form. He also focuses on windows and doors. "They provide a visual sense of multi-layers that seem to take us through, or in the case of reflection, back. Either way, there's an added dimension," he said.

Pamela Long Nolan an East Northport resident, said she has been greatly influenced by artists such as Picasso and Jackson Pollock. This visual image is her favorite form of communication. "I insist on figurative and landscape imagery because I really love to draw," said the artist.

Centerport resident, Bobby Schneider, uses water as a subject and medium. Her background is extensive. She started as a commercial artist and designer for her husband's company. Bobbi has been presented with many awards at juried shows involving C.W. Post College, the Brooklyn Museum, the Professional Artists Guild and other exhibits. Other achievements include the Rochester Printing Award, the International Printing Week Award and the Graphic Arts Award Competition.

Art-trium Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Island Passions exhibition runs through Monday April 4. For more information, visit www.huntingtonarts.org.