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:
COME. BREATHE. SAVOR
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Photo provided by the Little Free Flower Stand.
This week, we’d like to spotlight a Mother’s Day inspired delight. For the previous 5 years, a little stand in Northport Village has offered free flowers to any friendly neighbor passing by. Viewable on Instagram here, The Little Free Flower Stand offers a regularly refreshed selection of seasonal blooms. Whether it’s lilacs, daffodils, or anything else, each little bouquet offers beauty and generosity.
Their Insta account alone is great, and updates regularly with whatever they’re doing at the stand. It’s a nice reminder of how some Long Island people devote time to adding character to their neighborhoods and giving others a little bit of joy.
The giving often goes farther than flora as they often accept donations for local charities. Right now all donations will go to benefit the Northport Pride Fest.
We hope you wander over to their account and take a look for yourself.
It’s free. It’s fun. It’s community coming together to celebrate the arts and culture all around us. Whether you are an artist of some sort, someone who appreciates that, or simply looking to connect with wonderful neighbors who like to get together and make amazing things happen, this is a wonderful event.
There will be guided tours, live music, live painting, activities for kids of all ages, a local artists market, and exclusive village specials. Come check it out!
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 12-5pm
HOW IT WORKS: The event is free, but folks must sign up via the following links for the 10:30 and 1:30 Mural Tours. Else, just stop by one of the event hubs – St. John’s Episcopal Church or the Huntington Arts Council – to receive the official event tote and bracelet, unlocking exclusive food and drink specials throughout the town.
FOR MORE INFO: Visit the official website of the Huntington Public Art Crawl
Photo of Randi Schubin Dresner and Steve Caputo with “Stamp Out Hunger” food drive sign provided by Steve Caputo.
This week, brown paper shopping bags were delivered along with the regular mail. Firefly Steve Caputo, a longtime volunteer for Island Harvest hopes you please won’t disregard it, or throw it away, but will instead fill them with food and toiletry essentials so they may be delivered to Island Harvest tomorrow.
You see, on Saturday May 9th, 2026, The National Association of Letter Carriers and Island Harvest will carry out the nation’s largest one day food drive.
It’s a real easy process. No need to go anywhere. No need to make any adjacent donations. All anyone on Long Island needs to do is place a bag of healthy non-perishable goods near their mailbox before their assigned mail carrier makes his regularly scheduled stop. A list of recommended donations can be found below. From there, Island Harvest receives the donation and distributes the food to over 300 food pantries across the island. There is no sign up. The mail carriers will be looking out at every stop to pick up any bagged non perishables
1 in 13 Long Islanders don’t know where their next meal is coming, and that number is growing. Last year over 600,000 meals were given out. According to their website, every donation comes from local and stays local.
Please be a part of this. They couldn’t make it any more convenient. Just have your bag out by the mailbox by 9AM tomorrow, or at least before the mailman comes. Thanks!
For more information, visit the Island Harvest website.
– Canned or Dried Beans
– Peanut Butter
– Canned Fruits & Vegetables
– Low Sodium Soups
– Canned Tuna or Chicken
– Whole Grain Pasta & White Rice
– Shelf Stable Milk
– Nuts, Seeds & Dried Fruits
Household Supplies, Toiletries, & Pet Food are also welcomed. Please no Glass containers. Do check expiration dates before participating.
Island Harvest Food Bank has been leading hunger relief on Long Island since 1992. Founded in 1992, the Island Harvest Food Bank is a certified member of Feeding America, the nation’s food bank network, with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. We distribute fresh produce, meat and non-perishables throughout Long Island and assist thousands of Long Islanders daily through our innovative programming and network of community partners.
Thanks to Steve, we at the Firefly were able to deliver over 250 pounds of needed goods to people last winter. This time, folks don’t even need to come to a site like us, they just put their contribution out by their mailbox on Saturday!
Said Steve, “Fighting hunger and food insecurity is a personal passion of mine. It is hard to imagine that almost a quarter million of our Long Island neighbors are impacted by food insecurity, not being able to afford to feed themselves or their families on a regular basis. Stamp Out Hunger is one very simple way that each of us can help to alleviate that hardship. As a volunteer photographer, I have had the privilege of witnessing the formidable coordination effort that goes into receiving, sorting, repacking and distributing the Stamp Out Hunger donations. Volunteers work over several days to get this food in and out of the warehouse and into the hands of those in need.
So please fill that brown bag (and more, if you can), and be sure to leave it by your mailbox on Saturday to help Stamp Out Hunger!”
For over 20 years Vision Long Island has been honoring individuals, organizations, and projects that advance the growth of our downtowns and infrastructure. Specific focus areas include transit oriented development, affordable housing, environmental sustainability, traffic calming, transportation enhancements, clean energy and community based planning.
Continue readingClick here for the latest edition of Firefly Lights, all about our beautiful downtown gallery of local art and artists. In this edition, please find:
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. SAVORWe 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. |
To subscribe to The Firefly Artists newsletter, please drop us a line indicating interest here.
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.
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…
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.
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.”
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.”
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 Festival” at Sands Point Preserve has become an annual thing. It starts with a uniquely fantastic art show.
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”
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
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:
