What happens when Hawks takes Cary Grant’s physical style and molds it into the fastest talking picture ever produced? An in-real-time-self-retrospective comedy. This is a made up term. It’s not a good way of explaining what I’m going for, but an elaboration should get me there.
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The Long Island Public Arts Festival (LIPAF) is an immersive, multi-site, multi-exhibition public arts installation series. It all started as a partnership between Colored Colors and BACCA (Babylon Citizen’s Council on the Arts) at Phelps Lane Park in the Town of Babylon, with support from the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs (SCOCA).
They call these tri-fold elements dotting the landscape “prisms.” What they are, are larger than life canvas prints of works of artists from throughout New York State thoughtfully displayed in public parks for all to enjoy. Founded on the South Shore, the concept has quickly spread north, gaining support and appreciation, while bridging communities and connecting people through the power of art.
Check out the beautiful LIPAF website for developing details Each show is unique, providing ample opportunity for Long Island’s rich artist community and all who appreciate or participate.
The first exhibition ran 7/1-8/9 at Phelps Lane Park in the Town of Babylon, showcasing over 50 artworks in these striking life-size prisms running along the park’s waterside. It was a pleasure to get to tour the works with participating artist, Rae Cerulean.
Opening 9/1 and running until 10/4, the mid-summer anchor of LIPAF 2026 is a display at the newly refurbished Geiger Park, in Deer Park. According to the website, “this location focuses on the intersection of public space and community education, highlighting the park’s transformation through immersive installations.”
We can’t wait to see it!
The third leg will run 10/9-11/1 at Heckscher Park in Huntington. This one is part of a special collaboration with the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce. Its kickoff will occur during the Long Island Fall Festival, richly enhancing this largest event of its kind in the Northeast.
Running through August 31st, LIPAF 250: The Liberty Trail is a landmark public arts initiative inspired by and taking the concept of LIPAF to a deeper level.
Created in close cooperation with Town Historian Robert C. Hughes and the Huntington Historical Society, this special adjunct to the main Arts Festival involves a physical “Liberty Trail” commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Its purpose is to invite exploration and reflection on three core principles: Heritage, Unity, and Liberty. As an enduring record, selected works will be professionally digitized and included in the permanent LIPAF 250 Historical Archive.
A series of Instagram reels featuring Huntington Historical Society Executive Director Stephanie Gotard, Huntington Town Historian Robert Hughes and Huntington African American Museum Executive Director Barry Lites explain the inspiration, purpose and perpetual relevance of this project and the Declaration of Independence itself.
Said Hughes, “The 250th is such a milestone that we think it’s very important that everyone understands not only the ‘who what and where’ of the revolution 250 years ago, but the concepts behind it, such as liberty. The arts are a perfect way…”
All in all, it’s a remarkable exercise in human expression, artist appreciation and the opportunity to deeply reflect on much. For free. In beautiful places not so very far from our own back doors.
We are grateful to Jose, Jason and all who have come together to make this concept a reality. We look forward to seeing this further develop.
It’s good stuff.
Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists.
REFRESH YOUR SOUL |
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All images provided by AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition
The AWARE Drug and Alcohol Community Coalition in Northport is all about “Working Together for a Healthier, Stronger Community.” The mission is “to promote the well-being of our youth by preventing substance misuse, supporting mental wellbeing, and empowering community members through education, stigma reduction, and expanded outreach to create a healthier tomorrow.”
It’s just one of roughly 25 hyper local coalitions across Long Island that exist to help communities grapple with the challenges surrounding drugs and alcohol. These are grass roots organizations of neighbors serving as key connectors with diverse expertise and resources, and acting as fundamental forces for education and prevention in their own right.
This last bit is huge. “We’re all about prevention,” says Executive Director Linda Oristano, “Prevention starts long before a crisis. It starts with awareness, connection and action.”
AWARE (Advocacy, Wellness, Action, Resiliency and Education) started back in 2006 as the Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force, when a handful of concerned neighbors came together after two high school students overdosed. A few years ago, they spun off to form their own 501(c)3 so they could better address specific needs and opportunities in Northport.
They are welcoming, pragmatic, and deeply engaged in helping people navigate harsh realities of life. There’s a big focus on young people, and staying out of trouble in the first place.
There’s a thoughtful interview on the Main Street News with Executive Director Linda Oristano. It includes her observations on the current scene, stuff you don’t always hear regarding Narcan, and details of many projects they do with business owners, school administrators, students, local youth agencies, other human service groups, police and other first responders, and the community as a whole.
It’s a good listen. In addition to fentanyl and ways folks have somehow made that more terrifying, Linda expressed deep concerns with the range and appeal of vaping products being sold, especially to young people, as well as some of their efforts to do something about it.
She’s proud of their youth coalition of students grades 9-12, who meet weekly to focus on three initiatives: substance misuse, mental health and environmental issues. There’s a RAP week (Recovery Awareness and Prevention), and participation in community events.
They talk about the challenges of reaching kids who really need to be reached, the complicating factors of mental health, and parents who are so pressed for time and attention in a world where it’s harder and harder to catch things before they get out of hand. She is grateful for hyper local organizations like AWARE that she truly believes are helping.
Linda wants people to know that they aren’t coming down from some high horse but are real neighbors, with real experiences and hope to share. It’s not about scaring or shaming people. It’s about community support and guidance. She hopes folks who have been so blessed as to never experience these challenges will have compassion for those who do, and get involved.
Mostly, she wants anyone struggling themselves or concerned about someone they love to know:
You are not alone. There are answers. Folks are here to help. Please reach out.
Monetary donations, time, connections – all are very welcome! The best way to get involved at first is to simply tune in and show up.
Start by following them on Facebook and Instagram @awarelongisland to keep up to date with all they’ve got going on and to receive some really useful tips and resources. You may also visit their website at www.awareli.org. Open to the public meetings occur every 3rd Wednesday of the month at their beautiful new headquarters at 53 Scudder Ave, Northport.
On August 20th, at 7:45 is a family movie night in Northport Harbor Park.
On August 21st they’re having a fundraiser at the gorgeous Main Street, Northport shop, The Nest, selling donated vintage handbags and jewelry. They may still be accepting donations of gently used accessories!
As this is Recovery Awareness Month, on August 31st they’re holding a press conference and Recovery flag raising at 12 noon and then a candlelight vigil to honor those lost in the Village Park at 7pm.
Their Annual Color Run is November 7th at Northport Middle School. It’s a lot of fun!
In addition to everything else she does in service to the community, Linda is an active member of the Northport Chamber of Commerce. No matter what’s going on in town, you’re likely to find AWARE there. Just go say hi!
If you remember, tell ’em Synchronicity sent ya. Thanks!
Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists.
REFRESH YOUR SOUL |
To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.
