An Art Gallery With A Side Of Open House
/By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com
Long Islander News photos/Janee Law
Bart Deceglie, a teacher at Art League of Long Island in Dix Hills, is stationed with his easel on top of a bluff, overlooking the Northport Harbor, at the Firefly Artists’ pop-up gallery event that was hosted over the weekend.
Bart Deceglie was stationed with his easel on a small porch that sat on top of a bluff, overlooking Northport Harbor, at a three-acre property in Eatons Neck on Friday.
With the bay behind him, Deceglie was painting the back of a 2,800-square-foot home. The Floral Park resident, teacher at Dix Hills-based Art League of Long Island, was participating in a pop-up gallery event hosted by Northport-based art gallery Firefly Artists.
Both the home, and the art on display, were for sale.
With his paintbrush in hand, Deceglie was enjoying the event, and said it was the perfect day to paint with a wonderful view.
He added, “Any time you can get your work viewed by anybody, there’s a chance that people might like your work and make a connection.”
The event was coordinated by Kate Gilmore and Jennifer Lau, managing partners of Firefly, and listing agent John Ramonetti, of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. The trio set up the event to coincide with an open house for the home, which is located at 140 Old Winkle Road, and is listed for $2.79 million.
Gilmore said that Ramonetti had learned about Firefly’s pop-up galleries in the past and reached out to arrange a duel event.
“I think he saw this property and thought it was incredibly unique, but maybe needed something like the art to complement it,” said Gilmore, who is also a co-founder of Firefly, which first opened its doors as a place for local artists to sell their artwork.
Gilmore continued, “He wanted to do something more than your average open house.”
The partnership between Firefly and Ramonetti ultimately posed a way to draw a big crowd, and was able to cross promote between the two seemingly different groups of people.
The two-day event featured more than 200 pieces of artwork, from 16 different local Long Island artists. The artwork displayed included paintings, photography, lithography, sculpture, etchings, jewelry, linoleum cuts, and pottery.
Celeste Mauro, of Northport, a painter, displayed about seven pieces of acrylic paintings with collage that were inspired by local scenes.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to share our work with the community and perhaps future residents of the community,” Mauro said. “It’s a beautiful property and it’s a wonderful event.”
Several pieces were featured inside a wooden guest cottage, inside the home and outside on the property grounds that overlooked the harbor and Long Island Sound. There was food, catered by Piccolo and Mill Pond House, live music and artists, such as Deceglie, who were actively painting the scenery.
Since opening its art gallery at 180 Main St. five years ago, Firefly Artists, has hosted a total of three pop-up galleries.
Long Islander News photos/Janee Law
Jennifer Lau, managing partner of Northport-based gallery Firefly Artists, stands next to her photograph called “Winter Sunset,” which she shot in January.
Lau, of Northport, who is a photographer, said she and Gilmore “primarily just want to get the word out about the gallery because it’s just a labor of love for us.”
Long Islander News photos/Janee Law
Kate Gilmore, co-founder and managing partner of Firefly Artists, stands next to her table of jewelry at the Firefly Artists’ pop-up gallery event that was hosted in Eatons Neck over the weekend.
She continued, “We love these artists so much and we want to support them and bring them customers because the more they sell, the more they’re inspired to create.
“It’s just a win-win.”
