Dan's Papers - May 30, 2008 - Art In Greenport Is Perfect

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." -Thomas Merton.

Take a walk along Main Street in Greenport, NY and you will find an array of art galleries sprinkled throughout this historic village. Starting June 21st through Dec. 20th, on the third Saturday of the month, the galleries of Greenport are opening their doors for a night of gallery hopping. From 6 to 9 a person can enjoy the many faces of the art this small town has to offer. There will be gallery talks, refreshments, and most importantly, ART.

As a society we are defined by our artists. Writers create with words, moviemakers on film, composers through the magic of music. We can be taken on a journey through time and space, to see our world with a little more clarity or a little more openly every time we open a book, turn on a movie or immerse ourselves in music. It is this journey of the mind that gives art its power. One can argue that it is the painters, sculptors, photographers, etc. that have the greatest challenge. The journey they create is in a single moment; captured in a solitary instant of time. When you gaze at a painting you see a single scene, a brief glance in a sequence of events. When done well, that simple glance in time can create a journey all on its own.

"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe

Greenport offers 12 galleries, mostly scattered along Main Street, for the enjoyment of art lovers. Each gallery has its own focus. The Orin Kimball Studio contains a collection of photo based contemporary art. deCardova Studio & Gallery represents local and international artists with an array of disciplines; exhibits change on a monthly basis. The Winterharbor Studio Gallery focuses on local artists with depictions of local scenes and unique crafts. Clawflowers focuses on photography and paintings mixed with exotic flowers and plants. Gallery M spotlights wearable art and unique contemporary crafts along with paintings and sculpture. Many galleries even offer classes. With twelve galleries to choose from, no matter what kind of art inspires you, it can be found along the streets of this Long Island art hub.

I have heard it said that you should never buy a piece of art that you don't love. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement! I happen to have a painting in my family room that I love. It is only a print, it only cost $65, but I love to stare at it. I love the colors, I love the shapes, and I love the places this moment in time takes me to in my mind. I remember seeing a sculpture once of a man in pain, at least that is what I saw, a man in anguish. I didn't buy it, didn't really want to buy it, but I have been haunted by the image ever since. The power of art is in the eye of the beholder, as cliché as that statement sounds, it is true. What reaches one person may not affect another, but we have an obligation of sorts to participate in the art around us. If our artists are defining our society for us, don't we have the responsibility to engage in this passage, adding our voice in vindication or disapproval?

"Art is a lie that helps us to realize the truth." ~ Pablo Picasso

On a lighter note, art is also just fun! Come, eat some refreshments, spend time with other art lovers, and become acquainted with a beautiful little town along Long Island's gorgeous coastline. Even if you don't find that perfect piece of art, the one that awakens something inside you - you will always have the memory of a Saturday night in Greenport to take away with you.