On August 4 and 5, at Cherry Grove’s historic Community House, the Arts Project of Cherry Grove (APCG), founded in 1948, held its 70th annual Art Show, drawing local artists, some from Long Island, and some from other parts of the country. As has become usual, participants in the Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR) showed work in the Art Show as well.
Homecoming Queen 2018 Rose Levine opened the Art Show officially with the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Always highlights of the show are the Queen and APCG President Thom “Panzi” Hansen’s presentation of ribbons to the work that each of them favors. Rose’s choice was Diane Quero’s photo of Homecoming Queen(s) 2000 Good and Plenty and Panzi’s was Michael Abdis’ stained glass rainbow flag with cherries.
Painters exhibiting their works were Larry Crawford from Texas, Sharon Way-Howard from Sayville, abstract artist Cathy Eckdahl, John Mansueto, and Michael Fitzgerald. Dennis McConkey, coordinator of the show and APCG Vice-President, brought his paintings and pottery. Martinu Schneegass brought colorful t-shirts that he designed and other work as well. Beside Michael Abdis, Frank Pilletteri, from Spring Valley, also showed stained glass.
Photographers who participated, beside Diane Quero, were Fire Island Nature photographer Warren Boyd Wexler, Jim Kelly-Evans with his aerial photos of Fire Island, and Ray Bagnuolo and Bill Fullam, also sharing their Island views.
Present from FIAR were coordinators Chris Bogia and Jesse Harrod and residents José Joaquin Figueroa from Venezuela and Oakland, bringing his drawings of Cherry Grove; Leeanne Maxey, from Arkansas and Brooklyn; and Montgomery Perry Smith, from Texas and Brooklyn.