Firefly Lights: May 7, 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 
Reception Tomorrow: Selections from “LI’s Best” Young Artists
Call to Artists: 5th Annual “Works on Paper”
Exhibition Schedule
Honoring the Life of Firefly Jim Darcy
Thank You for Making Us the Best!
About the Firefly

Thank You Jane McGraw-Teubner for sharing images that caught your eye! Works below by Fireflies Helen Towey, Dianna Hollyn Catania, Ann Fox, Michael Iacobellis & Deidre Elzer-Lento

COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
Find That Perfect Thing
We have gifts for Mom and your 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!

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

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Tales From the Firefly: An Introduction to the Healing Power of Art

I’ve learned a great deal in my experience of The Firefly, much of it to do with the profound healing powers of art. In fact, a lesson in that is precisely how I found this place to begin with. 

Of Elephants, Cows, and Cosmic Moments

It all started for me in 2016. I was at a major transition point, my mother had recently passed away, and my daughter, Lizzy, wanted to save elephants. I, who had long photo-documented my family, nonprofits and more artistic imagery, had been strongly considering a foray into fine art photography. 

A Cow Harbor Day booth in Northport seemed like a fun way to do both!

Lizzy was a bit young to work, but very capable and at least as interested in how it all operated as she was excited that we were raising money for elephants. With the help of a few friends, we had a wonderful day and got to make a nice donation to the World Wildlife Fund. At the same time, I began to learn what it’s like to be both a professional artist and to run a gallery…training I still had no idea I’d ever use!

She was totally into it. We had so much fun. 

Linda Advised: Art Heals

While I will never forget our opening experience, a woman who fell in love with a snowy Centerport scene and walked away embracing it like some great treasure, my best customer was a woman named Linda, who came toward the end of the day. She told me she worked at The Artisan House up the road. She also told me she’d dealt with ovarian cancer since she was a young woman. 

I’m not sure how old she was at the time, but this had clearly been a decades-long experience for her. Linda shared that she was always “a good girl” and had done everything her doctor told her…and had also tried just about every alternative treatment folks have come up with. After describing more than one trip to death’s door and back, she told me the one thing that she felt saved her from both the disease and its cure was meditating on art. She expressed gratitude that my work was perfect for this and said she wanted to buy a few pieces. 

Enrapt in her story, I was I think startled by her punchline. Deeply humbled and honored, for sure, I just wanted to give them to her as a grateful gift. Linda refused. She insisted artists should be paid.

Then, she said, “You should be a Firefly.”

“What’s that?”

Linda explained that The Firefly was a neighbor business, then located down by the Firehouse on Main Street. She thought we would be a good match. 

Back at the beginning, a few locations ago…

A Spark of Firefly Light

Deeply impressed by the experience, I soon got up my nerve to go in and offer my work to the Firefly. It seemed like a nice place. The art was beautiful, and they were friendly. Still, I had no expectations and had almost forgotten about my application when they gave a call in mid-2017 to invite me in.

It was another deep honor just to be asked. Mildly terrified, I leapt at the opportunity.

I soon realized I had stumbled upon something truly special: A warm, welcoming, highly talented house of local art and artists. The best part was they accepted Lizzy – and the rest of my kids — as one of them fairly immediately. It’s been an honor and a great adventure to serve them ever since.

Thank you, Linda. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. 

Hope you come by to see us sometime.

Applications Open for Devlin Starr Memorial Art Award

A Gift of Space and Encouragement to Create

The Devlin Starr Memorial Art Award, “reflects Devlin’s advocacy of giving people ‘space’ both figuratively and literally to create. He believed that with access to space, materials and people who believed in him, he had the freedom and encouragement to pursue his artistic vision and was able to create his best work.”

Emerging Multimedia Artists aged 18-28 are invited to apply for this $3000 award intended to provide an opportunity to “push artistic limits and expand their body of work.” 

Applications Due By: May 8th
For Guidelines and to Submit: Visit the Huntington Arts Council Website. 
A small event will be held June 25th, highlighting the award recipient and showing a selection of their work. A short feature will also be included in the spring issue of the Huntington Arts Council’s beautiful and informative Arts Cultural Magazine

About Devlin Starr

A beloved son of a beloved member of the Long Island Arts Community, the Huntington Arts Council website will tell you that “Devlin was a multimedia artist, attending the University Of Hartford School Of Art pursuing his BFA in sculpture/minor in chemistry, and member of the HAC family. His art, thought-provoking at times, was a reflection of himself, his desire to understand human nature, and express his feelings. Devlin was most comfortable in nature; exploring the woods, walking the beaches, and hiking. Painter, sculptor, photographer, videographer and musician, Devlin created with anything he could get his hands on. Supporting his peers and encouraging young artists to create, Devlin’s compassion for others defined him.”

Devlin's Light Endures Because of Our Community

That website also reminds us that, “the Devlin Starr Memorial Art Award is funded by the heartfelt, and overwhelming generosity of so many friends, family, colleagues, coworkers, and people who never even met him. Devlin’s artwork was a reflection of who he was, and how he saw the world. This award is a beautiful tribute to his creativity, artistry and kind and gentle soul; always one to put others first. We are so grateful and appreciative for the ongoing outreach and support of our family.”

If you would like to help advance this legacy, please consider donating here

A Fairy Tale Evening…Do You Know About the Festival?

A “Fairy Festival” at Sands Point Preserve has become an annual thing. It starts with a uniquely fantastic art show. 

Did You Know About The Fairy Festival? Re-Wild? The MOSAIC Festival?

Did you know there’s a Fairy Festival that happens every year in that fairy tale castle out at Sands Point Preserve? You can still get tickets. They’re $100 per parking vehicle, so we’d definitely carpool! 

Oh, my goodness. We are grateful Firefly Loretta Cerame brought us out there. The show is fantastic and her work is beautiful. The 2D works gracing the walls are amazing, and we are delighted by the focus on sculptural “Fairy Houses.” Among those artists, Dianna Facci, chose to use her prize winning piece to showcase the creative potential of Native Plants and to use the whole event as an opportunity to seed awareness of the sustainable landscaping organization, Re-Wild Long Island.

Loretta Cerame with her enchanting oil painting, “Vedia-Forest Spirit” (photo provided by Loretta) and Dianna Facci with her naturally derived sculpture, “Soaring to New Heights”

A Win for Re-wild: The Art of Native Gardening

Flowers in Dianna’s Fairy House, “Soaring to New Heights,” were made from the seed cases of Butterfly Milkweed and what my daughter always called “Spiky Balls.” There were dragonflies crafted from them as well, and so much more. Maybe 80 hours of work, she wondered? We talked about how, when you’re doing something like that, it’s kind of all day every day. Sometimes especially when you’re sleeping. So maybe a bit more than that…

Other projects Dianna’s working on – which apparently literally seed her art — include endeavors like helping design and realize the Valley Stream Community Garden and other projects of the South Nassau Chapter of Re-Wild.

Detail of Dianna Facci’s piece. Love the bees!

Word from the East End Arts Council

We also got to meet Melissa Pressler of the East End Arts Council, and learn a little bit about what’s going on out there in Riverhead. Her collage is amazing! They just moved out of their historic offices so that the building can be lifted to protect from floods. We pray for a smooth elevation and a quick return to the charming building they have long called home! 

She was excited about the mixed media artwork her young students created for this show, and the Arts Council’s upcoming 30th Annual MOSAIC Festival, which happens on Memorial Day. It’s actually mostly about chalk…and community. There is other art, too, and music, and more. This year, it will include a community street mural to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

They call it “Long Island’s Most Colorful Day of the Year.” I’d like to check it out after the parade.

Melissa Pressler, who works for the East End Arts Council, and her captivating collage, “Year of the Wood Snake.” This piece includes authentic skin donated by a slithery friend. After years of receiving that gift of texture from him, she has recently returned the kindness by giving that snake a home. His name is Stanley. 

Thank You

There was more. The exhibition truly is stunning. On beyond grateful for friends like Loretta who give us great reasons to do these things, and for all the folks who make these things happen at all. We wish all an enchanting weekend! 

More detail of Dianna’s “Soaring to New Heights”

Image of a young artist and appreciator provided by Loretta Cerame

“Blink and You’ll Miss It” a remarkable tiny sculpture (yes, that’s an acorn he’s transformed into a cottage!) by Patrick Louie

Honoring the 250th Annivesary of the Declaration of Independence

Above, the logo for a Huntington Historical Society Project: “What Liberty Means to Me,” which collected reflections from all willing to offer them earlier this year. We look forward to seeing what they’ve captured. 

250 Years Ago, A Bold and Righteous Proclomation Was Made.

It has been 250 years since America’s lofty revolution and the remarkable war inevitably to follow. This July, we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a mighty document inscribing self-evident truths; truths clear to the enlightened men of the time and truths standing as guiding principles to those living in these United States since. 

In recognizing this arc of freedom, we celebrate words and ideas coming from not only those of the 18th century (who studied hard the thoughts of those who came before), but also the 19th, 20th and 21st.  We think about the creation of our Constitution, and the robust intellects and passionate hearts whose words and deeds have shaped our enchanting, individualist nation. We pray that folks take interest in the noble ideals in which this county is grounded, and give their best to uphold and strengthen them.

We remember Abraham Lincoln and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; these and others who led us to realize the natural rights of millions, who led this body of United States to grow closer to its stated founding principals, and who made the idea of “America” an inspiration worldwide.

As we reflect on this poignant moment and the journey here, we encourage you to check out various ways our neighbors are celebrating the occasion. If you have your own related events to promote, many of these are good places to do that, too!

America 250: Celebrating Huntington, NY

John Daniello has put together a seven-month series that has been unfolding at the Huntington Public Library. It will be on view through July. This website serves as a companion piece, allowing the viewer “to dive even deeper into the exhibit with added details, stories and discoveries.”  It’s a fascinating look at the story of the Revolutionary War, and the particular role the Town of Huntington played in it. Not a bad place to start!

Huntington Historical Society

The Huntington Historical Society website offers a beautiful events tab where you can find tours of historical sites, and events connected to their “Liberty 250: Huntington Celebrates American Independence” project. Accessed directly through their homepage, you can find biographies of Revolutionary War Patriots, and a virtual tour of Huntington’s Revolutionary War Trail hosted by town historian Robert Hughes. We are excited to see the product of their “Liberty 250: What Liberty Means to Me” project, and are thinking a lot ourselves about that. 

We The People: A Conversation About Art & Democracy

One upcoming event will occur at the intersection of civic life and artistic expression: A Democracy Dinner, hosted by The Huntington Historical Society and the Heckscher Museum.
 
When: Thursday, May 14 from 6-8:30pm
Where: Dr. Daniel W. Kissam Property, 434 Park Avenue, Huntington
To Register: Visit The Huntington Historical Society website
 

There will be food, conversation, and human connection. Artists from the Museum’s Just Powers: Long Island Biennial 2026 exhibition will join as special guests, enriching this already ripe conversation. Looks like an interesting night! 

There’s a lot more going on, too! For starters, if you like the art aspect, this Historical Society is also hosting “Revolutionary Incidents in Huntington: Occupation & Resistance” in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial,  the Nassau County Museum of Art and the Long Island Museum each have fascinating exhibitions, and The East End Arts Council is working on a community street mural as part of it’s annual MOSAIC festival. We’re sure there’s more….for artists, historians, folks who care about civics and what it all means today. Lot’s more. Check it out: 

The Town of Huntington's Liberty 250 Page

The Town put together a planning committee of local heritage organizations and museums to plan and coordinate exhibits and programs commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As part of this, they have crafted a web page that offers an app on Bloomberg Connects that provides educational videos, an interactive map of local Revoluntionary War sites, and a calendar of events from organizations such as the Walt Whitman Birthplace, Lefferts Tide Mill & Preserve, Heckscher Museum, and Huntington Historical Society, 

Suffolk250.org

Exploring a little further afield, Suffolk County has worked with a an impressive array of local museums, cultural organizations, and historical societies to assemble Suffolk250.org, a website that invites you to explore and celebrate our region’s pivotal role in the American Revolution. There, you can find an interactive map of events throughout the county, get a passport book to log your own exploration, view a documentary series, and even sign up to plant a legacy tree.

Nassau County

Nassau County Tourism has put together Nassau County 250: It’s Revolutionary. According to the website, “a curated series of America 250 blogs and features, Nassau County Tourism highlights Revolutionary War landmarks, historic estates, presidential connections, and waterfront villages across the county. Each story is designed to inspire real-world exploration, encouraging you to visit the sites where history happened.” The website also lists events and programs occurring throughout the year. 

 

Discover Long Island

Last but not least, Discover Long Island, the full region’s one and only destination marketing organization, has it’s own page, LongIsland250. This, it promotes as “the official guide for commemorating & celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution on Long Island.” Designed to “showcase Long Island’s integral role in the Revolutionary War effort and profound ties to then Gen. George Washington, this site will serve as the ultimate guide for experiencing Long Island’s fascinating wartime history filled with spies and intrigue.”

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Repair Café Heading to Sayville

The Repair Café is Coming to Sayville

In a time where buying something new often comes before fixing what we have, The Repair Cafe is a great place to get advice, offer your expertise, and be inspired! There are no guarantees, but a promise to try. Many find the experience itself worth the effort. Folks involved are excited to announce that the next one will be held:

When: May 9, 12pm-3pm 
Where: Sayville Public Library, 88 Green Ave, Sayville, NY 11792

Want to Help?

Are you handy with machines? Electronics? Even a needle & thread?

Would you share this knowledge with the community? Help keep folks from throwing good things into landfills? Maybe just help folks save a few dollars? Come with your kids and teach them, come to teach others, or just come to learn and make new friends?

We imagine The Repair Café  would be an EXCELLENT service project for Scouts, and really anyone who wants to promote the fine art of giving things a second chance at life. Help make the world little thriftier and more self-reliant.

The best way to get in touch is through the Repair Cafe Long Island Facebook Page. You may also contact Laurie at starflexp@aol.com to learn more!!!

Get involved in The Repair Café!

Laurie Explains

You don’t have to be mechanical. Everybody can teach or help with something.

Said Laurie: “The more volunteers, the faster folks can get things repaired. People need to be able to bring their own tools. We get a lot of TVs and lamps and small electronics. We also could use people who are good with furniture, clothing/textiles (with sewing machine), more people for jewelry, anyone for watches and clocks, and other miscellaneous things (last time we had an ironing board, bicycle, a small statue that needed to be glued back together…).

We could also make space for a mental health person who would take time to listen to folks who just have a need to talk, or anyone who can do massage (sure, we can ‘fix’ people, too!).

Anyone who’d like to do some small DIY demos like how to sew on a button, darn a sock, rewire a lamp… Join us!

Learn More!

Check out The Repair Café Long Island on Facebook. Just scroll through the images there and look at these folks helping each other and learning so much together. Oh my goodness!

For years now, Laurie Farber of Starflower Experiences has made it part of her mission to help people fix things rather than just throw them out. Starting in Wyandanch, they built on the idea and carried it through covid. A natural partner, libraries which already work to provide communities with a number of educative resources, allow her to use to their space to strengthen their peoples capability. They’ve been to Huntington before, as well as a number of locations across Long Island. Anyone willing to volunteer and help the program is greatly appreciated!
 

Additional Events Will Be Held

June 20 – Longwood Public Library 10:00 – 2:00
August 1 – Hauppauge Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
August 8 – Huntington Public Library (Main) 10:00 – 2:00
August 15 – Bayshore Brightwaters Library 11:00 – 3:00
November 7 – Copiague Public Library 11:30 – 3:30
Feb 27, 2027 Harborfields Public Library 1:00 – 4:00
March 13, 2027 – South Huntington Public Library 1:00 – 4:00

Photos of Repair Cafe’s across Long Island. Photo Credit: Laurie Farber.

Fair Media Council: “The First 60 Minutes: A Crisis Management Masterclass for Communicators”

When things go awry, the most important thing is how we respond. Trust is hard to build and easy to break. No matter what the truth is, public perception is huge. Managing that effectively is an important skill set, especially for those giving it their best to serve the common good.

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16th Annual Huntington Station Spring Clean-Up

16th Annual Spring Clean-Up

The Friends of Huntington Station Latin Quarter is holding its 16th Annual Spring Clean-Up on Sunday, May 3rd. 

Sponsored by Palacios Law Group, Huntington Matters, Quality Island Landscaping, and the Huntington Station Business Improvement District (BID); the flyer states, “Join our efforts to make Huntington Station clean & welcoming. All are invited to help us beautify & instill pride in our community.” 

We are grateful for all the folks who come together each year to make this happen. Those involved say it’s a wonderful way to serve the community, and catch up with neighbors. Not only does it make a tremendous difference at the time, the cleanup effort inspires others to keep things nice throughout the year. 

What: Friends of Huntington Station’s 16th Annual Spring Clean-Up
Where: 1399 New York Ave, Huntington Station
When: Sunday, May 3 at 1pm
For More information: Call 917-836-8772, email info@hslq.org, or visit them on Facebook.

Honoring Firefly’s Light: Love you, Jim

Photo of Jim outside our old location soon after our tremendous effort to build the gallery by Katheryn Laible

Thank you, Joanne Kountourakis of the Northport Journal for this beautiful article about Jim Darcy, who passed on at the very beginning of March. Jim was a founding Firefly and a dear friend to most everyone he met. One of our brightest, most enthusiastic lights, Jim embodied this institution’s very heart and soul. We are all better people for having known him.

There is more to say than I can bring myself to right now. A true artist’s’ artist, Jim exemplified creativity and determined optimism. He served as a testament to the fact that the toughest men in the world are also the kindest. His stories were incredible. His enthusiasm contagious. We miss him dearly, and seek to ensure that the spirit he imbued us with fills the hearts and minds of creatives evermore.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held April 26, from 2-5pm at The Firefly Artists, 90 Main St., Northport

A SCHOLARSHIP FUND has been established, reflecting Jim’s deep belief in the power of the arts and his passion for encouraging people to pursue their creative interests.

A CALL FOR DARCY ART: As part of the celebration, and in hopes that some may be so kind as to allow the family to make digital copies, we are inviting owners of Jim Darcy artworks to show them in our windows for the last two weeks of April.

Please email events@thefireflyartists.com to inquire.

The First Clue We Were Friends

Life With Jim

I was grateful to get to do a solo show at Moksha Cafe (formerly Portofino) in Northport that was dedicated to Jim. In writing about that we shared a little bit about what it was like to be his friend. 

Oh, my dear, dear friend. How blessed are we to have had Jim Darcy in our lives? Sweet, funny sailor. Survivor of so many things. There was poetry, plants…so many birds. Chipmunks who came when you called. Never without a new and amazing story. Would that we could have painted for as many hours as you wanted. It would have been time well spent. Thank you for being such a marvelous friend. We are all better people for having known you. 

So much love to your beautiful family, and to all who love you so. I’m sure they’re having a great big party up there. May we ever feel your spirit close. Sure gonna miss you and your indomitable spirit. Thank you for hanging out as long as you did. 

Love you, Jim.