Since its beginning back in 2010 when it was held in a parking lot on Route 110 by the train station, the Huntington Unity Parade and Fair has grown to become a regional event, raising awareness of the deep community that exists here, inspiring togetherness and celebrating diversity and solidarity throughout the entire Town. Join them!
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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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Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists.
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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 |
To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.
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.
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.
It was excellent. Where else do you get to receive expert pointers, and then pitch whatever you’ve got to eight journalists who truly care to give constructive feedback and help folks understand how best to reach them?
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Where Creative Expression Transforms Lives. For Everyone.
On the homepage of Spirit of Huntington’s website they describe themselves as “a nonprofit organization that ignites the passion of students of all ages and abilities for creative expression that transforms lives.” A perfect summarization of this wonderful organization.
Please note the emphasis on ALL abilities. The community centers are open to everyone, to the benefit of all involved. They see it every day, and delight at how deep and broad it’s all become.
It all started with a guy name Erich, a gifted multi media artist who happens to be on the Autism Spectrum. Erich imagined a space where folks like him could thrive. He then established deep partnerships with some amazing people who worked with him to manifest his dream.
You might remember where it all began, even if you didn’t really know what it was; an old gas station transformed into public art, where a bigger than life George Washington and his men overlooked the corner of East Main Street and Park Ave. Another mural there featured a beloved local veteran and camera shop owner in uniform at the Memorial Day Parade. There were more.
That was the first home of the Spirit of Huntington, a remarkable landmark that housed an even more extraordinary initiative. It was sad when that building came down, but amazing what they were able to build after. The space they’ve occupied for the last decade now is phenomenal.
It doesn’t stop there. The Spirit of Huntington has grown in scope dramatically since opening. “Rise in Spirit” is a remarkable partnership with Rise Life Services and North Shore Dance that lives under their roof. The organization also provides key marketing and education services to other organizations, such as guiding a rebrand, helping establish a multi-discipline arts center in Northport and otherwise helping enrich programming for the People’s Arc of Suffolk.
Now, they are in the process of opening up a new Spirit of Huntington center in Queens.
Executive Director Michael Kitakis is excited how, from one person’s vision, this has now transformed into communities. It’s amazing to witness, and incredibly enriching to all involved. As far as he can see, it’s also key to a successful future.
Said Michael, “I’m excited about the opportunity of building more CBO’s community Based organizations to serve not just our neurodiverse population but the whole neighborhood and all of its constituents. One big family that realizes that creative expression transforms lives!”
The Spirit of Huntington headquarters occupies the old library building on Melville Road in South Huntington. Erich’s studio overlooks the main art space. There, you may often find him and his dog, Ollie, working as they preside over a multi-media creative learning center that serves folks of all abilities. In addition to the main studio space, there are rooms dedicated to music and multimedia recording. Diverse community partnerships help them make all sorts of other dreams a reality.
Some programs combine these elements. There are explorations of famous artists and their challenges. Digital media and other classes offer diverse opportunities to gain skills required to succeed in art and other aspects of life. Check out their YouTube channel, Spirit Studios created by and for program participants, where they share a lot about their programming, including a new podcast produced in collaboration with neighbors at the People’s Arc of Suffolk.
Says the website, “Our program empowers students by tapping into their natural creative abilities and encouraging them to create their own masterpieces and channel their emotions and feelings through the arts.” They also say “Participants channel their passion and learn to practice both the hard and soft skills needed to get by in today’s world of technology.”
Most fundamentally, they say, “Our Center is built on a foundation of love that fosters problem solving and free expression that can help nurture students of all ages in our structured, safe environment.”
It shows!
The ArtAbility Tour promotes inclusion and diversity in the arts by displaying the talent of more than 50 folks who live with various physical and intellectual impairments. As they put it, “Our exhibitions make each and every student feel acknowledged, appreciated, and celebrated.”
It’s a way students can show their appreciation as well, proceeds for related art sales go directly back into class funding.
The works are beautiful and thought provoking. If you explore them with the teachers, they will share remarkable stories about their creations and the enrichment they received experiencing their students’ unique perspectives and approaches. Sometimes it’s clear on the canvas. Other times you need a little back story.
It’s beautiful and profound.
Check out their website and social media to learn much more about Spirit of Huntington and its work with partners Island-wide and beyond. We are really excited to learn about the extent of their partnerships. The whole philosophy is about building community, and bringing their special expertise to serve folks of all Abilities.
If you want to get involved, they are actively seeking instructors.
As you might imagine, they welcome all the support they can get. Cash donations are always helpful! They can also use art supplies, camera equipment, computers, as well as folks willing to open their doors to new opportunities. Learn more about how you might support the organization and its activities here.
They can give you all sorts of details regarding their impact. We’d also suggest you talk to some of the participating teachers and families. It’s inspiring!
