Tales from the Firefly: A Simple Guy. Plus, Find us in Sunday’s Newsday!

We’ve been talking about sharing some of the stories that walk into our gallery and warm our hearts. Figured we’d start with this one…Plus, check out the link below and pick up Sunday’s Newsday for great tips on visiting galleries! 

A Guy Walks into a Gallery

A guy walks in. Looks like maybe he’s in construction, or a dockbuilder…I don’t know…probably works with his hands…

“I’m a simple guy,” he tells me. “Not the kind of guy you’d think belongs in an Art Gallery.”

“I came in here one day, though, and you guys were so nice. And everything was so beautiful. And you made me feel really comfortable and welcome. 

I want you to know, I’ve been to five galleries since. Most of them were okay. The last one, the lady was kind of nasty. But you know what? That was her problem and I knew I belonged. I am now a counnosoire of art. Thank you!”

We looked at some stuff. He offered thoughtful reflections. We had a good time. 

It was great. I’m grateful to whomever welcomed him first. It meant a lot. 

A Guide to Gallery Going: We'll be in the Sunday Newsday!

We are delighted at this great article by Kay Blough in Newsday, “Explore Long Island art galleries like an experienced collector,” featuring our own Drigo Morin and the very awesome Wendy Curtis of the Huntington Art Center. We can’t wait to pick up Sunday’s Newsday where this will be in print. It’s got a great guide for those who’ve never been to galleries before. 

There’s excellent advice from our dear Drigo Morin, as well as an awesome photo of him with one of his refined portraits! The very awesome Wendy Curtis of the Huntington Art Center offers good stuff, too. It’s a great resource!

We hope you come to Northport this weekend. The whole village is an art gallery! Huntington is a fun, cultural treasure as well. Wait ‘til you see what all our Fireflies have in store…Wendy’s gallery is amazing, too! 

Jump right in. The art is fine. 

Detail of Drigo's portrait of the two headed monster.

It’s Huntington Art Week!

Artists and all who appreciate them are invited to get involved in Huntington ART WEEK, being held March 9-15 in Huntington Village. Please see huntingtonartweek.com for details.

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Huntington Art Week Returns This March!

Artists and all who appreciate them are invited to get involved in Huntington ART WEEK, being held March 9-15 in Huntington Village. Please see huntingtonartweek.com for details.

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YOUR Picks: Favorite Local Shops

"Thank you for shopping local" photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again! Please shop local and keep the magic that is our beautiful downtowns alive!

Also, please help me update this list of favorite local shops! There are so many wonderful places run by great people out there. They only exist because people like you spend money there.

The list barely scratches the surface, please help add to it!

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Huntington Art Center: Art, Framing, Community

This is an advertisement for the Huntington Art Center, 7 Wall Street, Huntington, 631-423-6010. A custom picture framing and art gallery in the heart of Huntington Village. They’ve been designing fine frames since 1957.

Huntington Art Center services include custom picture framing, photo and painting restoration, custom made mirrors, digital imaging with retouching and editing, photo frames, local and national art for sale, art scanning and giclee printing as well as prints and posters for sale. You can get your images on canvas, acrylic, metal, and all kinds of papers. They will even print photos from your phone and frame them for you. 

There is jewelry, lovely fine art and craft works…perfect things to give that folks are sure to treasure. 

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, a collector, or someone looking for a unique and meaningful gift, Huntington Art Center in Huntington, NY is here to inspire. Stop by today to experience their collection, meet the artists, and discover how their custom framing can elevate your art to a new level. 

They love to help you find that perfect piece.

A Map of the Huntington Art Walk from earlier this year. All great places to visit any time!

A History of Community Service

While the Village is blessed with all sorts of entities who contribute to the cultural life of Huntington, and who have been regularly taking the concept of “Art Walk” to the next level, The Huntington Art Center is a place where it all started. They have long been central to nurturing this annual event, and remain to this day the best place to find out what and when all is going on. 

A photo of Wendy Curtis in her beautiful new Wall St., Huntington Shop

Wendy Curtis inside their Wall Street location. 

Our Own Experience

Huntington Art Center used to be much more tucked away. At a time when I felt like I knew every corner of The Village, discovering it was delightful. I was just starting out as a fine art photographer, and looking at frames and art in ways I never had before. They say when the student is ready the teacher appears, right? I guess that’s why, after a lifetime of wandering the streets of Huntington, it was then I found the then-tucked away shop that had served the Village of Huntington since 1957.

Wendy was thoughtful and enlightening. I had so many questions! I’m not sure when I found out she was a regular reader of the newsletter – or if maybe that same day I discovered her was the first time she found me, too. I also had no idea that she was a major creative spirit behind Huntington’s Art Walks.

What I did know, instantly, was that this place was grounded in love of art and craftsmanship. It was a beautiful shop, for the frames alone, but it was also …. An art gallery…. Almost like a secret gallery…

Just knowing it existed made me smile.

Now! Now, I smile to think this frame shop is where it should be: Right on Wall Street in Huntington where anyone can see it. Inside is a gorgeous selection of frames as well as local and national art; a beautiful gallery that can frame whatever you need.  

Go see!

Huntington Art Walk – Fall 2025!

Join the Huntington Art Center, along with a variety of other venues around town, as they celebrate that vibrant village’s deep embrace of the arts. It is free. It is fun. Come see!

This is “a self-guided tour of the new exhibits at the museums and galleries, in the Village of Huntington, New York.  Many of the artists will be on hand to talk about their inspiration, while you enjoy tasty treats and check out the art scene in the Village! Live music playing along the way.”  

When: Sunday, October 5, 12-5pm
Detailed information on each site is available at The Huntington Art Center Website. There’s a lot there. Check it out!
There will be an info table under the marquee at the Paramount Theater on the day of the event.
 
This is ALWAYS a fantastic event. Enjoy! 

Huntington Art Walk!

This Sunday!! All new exhibits for the Huntington Village Art Walk! 

Join the Huntington Art Center along with ten other venues around town as they celebrate that vibrant downtown’s deep embrace of the arts. This is “a self-guided tour of the new exhibits at the museums and galleries, in the Village of Huntington, New York.  Many of the artists will be on hand to talk about their inspiration, while you enjoy tasty treats and check out the art scene in the Village! Live music playing along the way.  

Free!  No tickets, just come on down!”


When: Sunday, October 6, 12-5pm
 
More information is available at The Huntington Art Center Website including a map and details regarding the various venues. There’s a lot of information there. Check it out!
 
There will be an info table under the marquee at the Paramount Theater on the day of the event.
 
This is ALWAYS a fantastic event. Enjoy!

Huntington PUBlic Art Crawl!

Huntington Public Art Crawl Flyer
Come experience the “Village-Wide Celebration of the Thriving Art & Cultural Community” that is the Huntington PUBlic Art Crawl!

It’s free. It’s fun. There’s so much going on!

When: Saturday, June 8, 12-5pm (rain date 6/15)

Basic info is available on the Huntington Chamber of Commerce website.

Here’s a great article in Going LocalLI that covers all sorts of great stuff happening that day, including live painting, music, kids activities, and food and drink specials offered to anyone who picks up an event bracelet.

Paid Guided Tours: For $10 you can take a guided tour of local murals, getting all sorts of inside information on the village’s public-facing art (tickets and info are here). For $32, folks 21 and over can take a “PUBlic Art Crawl Pub Tour,” which also includes info about the murals as well as treats and insight into the works of art that are some of our local business establishments (tickets and info are here).
 
Enjoy!
Huntington Public Art Crawl Poster. Details in text.

Catching Up With Jose: “Community” at Spotlight, Environmentally Conscious Public Art

Jose Tutiven and Bri Sanders at the Upsculpt Ribbon Cutting of "Lobster Buoy Boy" in Huntington early this month.

We’ve mentioned Jose Tutiven before. His reputation preceded him by 20 miles as he has earned the appreciation of folks Island-wide. His company, Colored Colors, “empowers unity amongst creatives…fosters long term relationships between the community of creatives and local business…[and]…serves as the platform to instill the mentality of artistry, commerce and community.”

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