Documentary Screening: “Autism Paints”

You may have read our story about the Spirit of Huntington, which describes itself as, “a nonprofit organization that ignites the passion of students of all ages and abilities for creative expression that transforms lives.” 

What we’re talking about here is the story of it’s founder, Erich Preis, and a beautiful documentary crafted to tell his story. 

The Spirit of the Spirit of Huntington Art Center - Meet Erich

According to the Trinity Community Art Center social media post, “The world saw autism. Erich saw a canvas. And everything changed”…”His story is not about what autism prevented him from doing. It’s about what art makes possible.” 

What: Screening of Autism Paints, a documentary by David Stagnari
When: Sunday, September 13 at 11am
Hosted by: Father Andrew Garnett and Trinity Community Art Center
Where: Trinity Episcopal Church Gym, 130 Main St, Northport

The event is free and open to the public. According to the post, “it will be followed by a lecture and roundtable discussion exploring Erich’s journey, his art, adversity, inclusion, and the extraordinary difference one person can make in the lives of thousands.” 

Erich hopes you can make it!

Photos below of Erich in his studio with his dog, Oliver by Katheryn Laible

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Spirit of Huntington

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.

Founded By And For Folks With Differing Abilities

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.

An Organization on the Rise

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 Art Center

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

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.

Catch the show!

It all started at Fiserv, Inc. in NJ. From there it goes to: 
Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center, Islip NY July 23 – Aug 20
East End Arts, Riverhead, September 10 – 24
South Huntington Library, South Huntington October 1-20
Viscardi Center Museum of Disability History, Albertson, NY October 22- November 12
Spirit of Huntington Art Center, South Huntington, November 20 – 21
 

We’ve Hardly Scratched the Surface - Get Involved

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!

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ARC

July is Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month. You can read all about it here on the website of The People’s ARC of Suffolk. Its purpose is to “celebrate disability identity and community, mark the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and push for full inclusion in everyday life. The 2026 theme is ‘The World Works Better With Us.’”

Inspiring Moments: History of ARC and the ADA

ARC has been advancing the dignity and potential of folks with intellectual and developmental disabilities for over 75 years, making it the largest and one of the oldest organizations of its kind. It started in 1949 when “a two-line classified ad in the New York Post ignited the spark that brought together a small group of parents. What began as a modest response soon evolved into a powerful movement, fueled by word of mouth and compelling news coverage. Within a year, this heartfelt call united hundreds of determined parents.”

You can read more here, on the founding chapter’s website, including a timeline of accomplishments and a far more detailed scholarly review.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has its own storied history, climaxing at a poignant moment on March 12, 1990 in Washington DC. There, a group of 1000 disabled activists had come to protest the “crawling pace” of stalled legislation by eschewing their wheelchairs and climbing the Capitol Stairs.

Among them was Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins, a girl with Cerebral Palsy who had been among demonstrators since she was six and already arrested for doing so by 7. In between, she’d experienced the indignity of being refused restaurant service because the establishment felt clientele would find their eating distasteful.

Although discouraged by others in the advocacy world, because they feared she would elicit pity rather than a sense of empowerment, 8-year old Jennifer determined that she was going to have her generation represented and insisted upon making the climb.

While we can never be entirely sure what moves a nation, the act received meaningful coverage, and seemed to make a profound impact. Four months later, President George H. W. Bush signed the ADA into law, revolutionizing nearly every aspect of life for folks with disabilities.

You can read more about Jennifer here. There’s a children’s book and a statue. Folks hope that work of art someday gets to visit Long Island. Even moreso, they hope we’ll not take these advances for granted, and recognize that when we serve folks with different abilities, we’re serving everyone.

The Arc

You can check out the national organization here. There are now 549 chapters covering 42 states. On Long Island, the organization has had a rich history with chapters in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

In addition to passionate advocacy, the key objective is to maximize individuals’ independence at home and in the community through varied services and programs. They’ve changed a lot over the years, both internally and externally as they’ve championed progress and learned better themselves, All the while, they’ve maintained the spirit of love and community among folks of all abilities that brought them together in the first place.

Person-Centered, Community Oriented: The People’s Arc of Suffolk

Along with its well-established array of services, including employment opportunities, education programs, and community engagement, the newly renamed “People’s Arc of Suffolk” is “expanding the creative outlets available to people of all abilities.”

Among its recent highlights, we were delighted to see folks of the Spirit of Huntington collaborate with the Suffolk Chapter to assist the rebranding to better reflect the modern organization, and to establish with them a new ARC Performing Arts Center in Northport. There, folks may explore theater, music, dance, visual art and video production. This includes a new podcast called “The People’s Artist.” 

There are now eight Suffolk locations in total, including an art community in Westhampton Beach, a vocational community in Bohemia and a nature and horticulture community in West Sayville. Spirit of Huntington is excited to be so closely involved, especially in Northport, bringing their rich experience in the arts to serve the venerable organization.

To Spirit of Huntington Executive Director, Michael Kitakis, it’s all about community, and folks finding their strengths and sharing them. “The concept that we’re recognizing is that we can’t do everything ourselves. Why would we? Spirit of Huntington has been focused on the arts and their application for 15 years. We are delighted to bring this expertise to The People’s Arc of Suffolk.”

Get Involved

Visit the website, learn more, and get involved!  

If you’d like to consider a career with The People’s Arc, you may explore opportunities here.

To donate, see here.  

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Firefly Lights: June 17, 2026

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Gifts for Grads. Gifts for Dads 
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Coming Tonight: “Midsummer Magic”
Call to Artists: “pARTy ’til the Cows Come Home”
Call to Artists: “Abandoned Haunts & Curious Trappings”
Exhibition Schedule
Fireflies Light Up Everywhere
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

EXPLORE. WANDER. DISCOVER.
Gifts for Dads. Gifts for Grads. 

With hot days and longer evenings, summer is upon us.d Northport village is livening up during this beautiful time of year!

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful gift for a favorite grad, or a Dear Old Dad, there’s always a Firefly creation waiting to catch your eye. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

Above: Works by Fireflies Audra Donroe, Cori Forster, Cathy Hammerquist, Marilyn Barker

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Firefly Lights: June 9, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

The Perfect Place to Find that Perfect Thing 
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Now on View: “Abstracts & Still Lifes” by Robert Bellassai
Call to Artists: “pARTy ’til the Cows Come Home”
Call to Artists: “Abandoned Haunts & Curious Trappings”
Reception Thursday at Moksha Cafe: “Summertime!” by Steve Caputo
Exhibition Schedule
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing

The weather’s perfect, our sunsets divine. Come to Northport and just…breathe…

We have gifts for a favorite grad, Dear Old Dad, sweet little treasures and very special things. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

Above: Works by Fireflies Emily Eisen, Steve Walker Diana Anton and Silvia Maria Rey

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Firefly Lights: May 28, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

The Perfect Place to Find that Perfect Thing 
In Memoriam: Firefly E Craig
Reception Saturday: “Sanatorium” Solo Show by Firefly John Lazzaro
Reception Tonight: Ann Fox Lights Up Moksha Cafe
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Up Next: “Abstracts & Still Lifes” by Robert Bellassai
CORRECTED Call to Artists: pARTy ’til the Cows Come Home
Call to Artists: Abandoned Haunts & Curious Trappings
Exhibition Schedule
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing

We have gifts for a favorite grad, sweet little treasures and very special things. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

 

Works below by Fireflies Diana Anton, Michael Iacobellis, Andrea M. Gordon and Drigo Morin

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Firefly Lights: May 20, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

The Perfect Place to Find that Perfect Thing 
Reception TONIGHT: “Celebrate Young Artists”
Up Next: “Sanatorium” Solo Show by Firefly John Lazzaro
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Exhibition Schedule
Ann Fox Lights Up Moksha Cafe
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing

We have gifts for a favorite grad, sweet little treasures and very special things. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

 

Works below by Fireflies Kristen Memoli, Cori Forster, Tina Nadeem & Katheryn Laible

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

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Coltrane Home Progress Report

Friends of the Coltrane Home receiving an eagerly awaited update on the project.

A Welcome Reunion and Tour

Among the notables who have made Long Island their home, John Coltrane wrote his masterwork in Dix Hills. After his passing, his wife Alice, who was also incredibly gifted, recorded three albums there. That ranch home, where they raised their family, is an understated treasure that folks have been working hard for many years to transform into a museum and cultural center.

Recently, some of the volunteers who have done all they can to help manifest this vision came together for a tour and progress report. It was a happy reunion of folks who found friendship through a shared love of jazz and community appreciation. 

Incredible amounts of work have been done to determine what may be restored, what should be replaced, and how the building will eventually function as a living museum, meeting place, performance center and boutique recording studio. How may they best serve young people? How can they assist musicians today in honoring these spirits? What may they do to advance the significant legacies of John and Alice Coltrane, musically, spiritually, and as folks who wished “to be a force for good?” 

Progress is Significant

The major work to the home has been structural. Prime for destruction, the home was once filled with mold and had serious foundation issues, which in turn damaged the facade. Even without that, major work would have had to be done in order to make a 1960’s ranch house suitable for museum traffic. 
 
In addition to (and often in concert with) needed repairs, have been carefully considered modifications. The basement floor was lowered to make that space usable. Steel and other required reinforcements were applied throughout. Windows were installed to simultaneously vastly improve climate control and more closely replicate what was there when the Coltranes lived there. Folks involved are delighted that the woman who took the rainbow window when the house was slated for destruction has kindly offered to bring it home. Other treasures eagerly await their return.
 
Almost as remarkable as the transformation to the home itself is the property. Once a completely overgrown mess of invasive species, the grounds are now cleared for the installation of meditation gardens in honor of Alice. We can’t wait to see them blossom! 
 
Cross your fingers. Say a prayer. There’s a bit of work to do, but with any luck the doors may open soon! 
 

Below is a gallery of our tour. Hover over the images for descriptions. Click for larger images. 

 
The Home as it is today.
Steve offers us a report on all the structural work that's been done.
The garden bed has been fully restored.
The floor has been lowered to make the basement functional, which in turn required some reconfiguring to keep things in perspective.
Being an old ranch house, multiple lifts are required to access all areas and make the home ADA compliant.
Steel reinforcements and other accommodations will make this home suitable as a public institution
This used to be "The Creepy Room," as Michelle and Ravi Coltrane remember it. Now, it's shaping up to be a remarkable meeting space.
This fireplace was a prominent feature of Alice's studio. It's also where Ellen and I, as we cleaned those bricks together, realized we were dear friends.
Meditation room...
The rainbow window has been located and kindly offered to return.
It's not hard to see that rendering becomming reality...
How it was...they've come a long way!
This shag rug actually survived not only the 60s, but years of abandoned neglect.
Not sure what to do with this, but we love it!
Mike capturing the rendering of envisioned meditation gardens
These renderings a so close to being realized...soon!!!
This was completely overgrown and filled with invasive species...the clearing alone is extraordinary. What will come next is divine.
Original windows
John's esoteric musing's and more mundane notes....
Draft of liner notes from "A Love Supreme"

Ways to Get Involved

Subscribe to the John & Alice Coltrane Home newsletter for updates on construction and more! 

Of course, the mission carries the group far beyond the historic residence’s walls. The Half Hollow Hills Library, in particular, has regularly offered its downstairs theater for intimate events featuring a diversity of extraordinary talents. Can’t wait to see what they offer next! 

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Firefly Lights: May 15, 2026

Photo of the exterior of The Firefly Artists

Click here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:

IN THIS ISSUE

Come, Breathe, Find that Perfect Thing 
On View Now: “Celebrate Young Artists”
Up Next: “Sanatorium” Solo Show by Firefly John Lazzaro
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Exhibition Schedule
Ann Fox Lights Up Moksha Cafe
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing

We have gifts for a favorite grad, sweet little treasures and very special things. Located at 90 Main Street in beautiful downtown Northport, The Firefly is open seven days a week. We stay open until 9pm Wednesday through Saturday, and until 7pm on Sundays. For you early birds, we’re also open by 9am on the weekends.

Every purchase helps keep artists creating. We deeply appreciate your support, and are honored when our work enhances your life and that of those around you. Thank you for keeping local art alive!

Below: Works by Fireflies Andrea M. Gordon, E Craig, Jan Guarino & Tina Nadeem

To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.

Subscribe To The Synchronicity Newsletter