Threatening skies and occasional drizzles failed to put a damper on Sagtikos Manor's first ever outdoor art show on Sunday. Forty-two artists set up shop on the Manor's Great Lawn, displaying their finest work for all to see.
"We have a good turnout, despite the weather," said Phyllis Chan-Carr, the marketing director for Sagtikos Manor's Historical Society. "We also did not charge for admission to the art show because we wanted to give back to the community and invite them in."
The group featured painters, graphic artists and pottery enthusiasts. Some of the artists have participated in similar art shows in the past, while for others, this was a first time event.
One of those first timers, Islip resident and Good Samaritan Vice President of Public and External Affairs, Christine Hendriks, displayed approximately 50 pieces of her pottery, a hobby she has enjoyed for 10 years.
"I feed my habit at Earth'n Vessel in Bayshore," she said. "It's my refuge. When I am there I am not a mother, a boss or a wife-I am just an artist."
Hendriks shared her booth with friend and fellow Islip resident Erika K. Arroyo, who makes both pottery and cards inspired by art. "I unwind from my job in the city by creating beauty for the world," Arroyo said.
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West Islip resident Doreen Headley came with some friends and they also toured the inside of the Manor after attending the art show. "I am in a travel club, and two out of the four people are art teachers and the rest of us love art," she said.
The idea of the art show belonged to Jane Courtien, a member of the Manor's Historical Society marketing committee.
"I am an art therapist," Courtien said. "I worked with families after 9/11 and I am currently working with breast cancer patients. I know what art can do. I had a lot of support for the show today. Even my yoga teacher came," she said.
One artist Jacqueline Lenox, of Levittown, used her creativity to make dresses from items that can be found in many ordinary homes. One dress was made out of folded fashion magazine pages, another made from pasta, one from VCR tape and another out of coffee filters.
"I stay with the same theme for the whole design," Lenox said. "On the coffee filter dress, the brown details near the top are coffee beans. And her hat is made from a coffee cup. I think it should mean something. This is what drives me."
Joesph Riley, another art show first timer, displayed a painting inspired from a photograph, and another from his view on the state of politics. "The Marilyn Monroe painting, which I did with artist oil, was done from a picture of her when she was in Amagansett," said Riley, a North Patchogue resident. "And the collage, which I did in 2006 with Rustoleum oil, was done as my take on the political universe,"
Islip's John Mansueto used photographs as the inspiration for some of the paintings he displayed, many of which were landscapes. "I am an illustrator, so the paintings are more of what I want to extrapolate on," he said. "I find it interesting."
Another artist, Mario Politi, of Oakdale, used a different canvas for his paintings; rocks.
"When my wife brings me to Sound Beach, where she grew up, I needed something to do so I started to paint these [rocks]," he said. "I do other paintings on canvas, too. I can paint on anything.
"The greatest asset any artist has is individuality," he added.
