Category Archives: culture

Manhasset, New York, U.S. February 11, 2023. KENNY NG, the First Place winner for his photograph ‘Whimsy,’ attends The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit at historic Elderfields. (© 2023 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

The Art Guild: Reflections on Photography

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
February 14, 2023

REFLECTIONS – The Art Guild
Exhibit on view until March 4, 2023, every Sat. & Sun., 1-5pm
200 Port Washington Blvd., Manhasset

The Art Guild’s Reflections reception

Something surprising happened at The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Reflections photography exhibit.

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. At right, Juror DEBBIE WELLS smiles at artist she’s about to give an award at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. At left is TAG Board Member DAVID WOLLIN. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Much was as expected. The artwork was varied and creative, the refreshments downright lavish. Catching up with some of my photographer friends, including Sara and Marc Josloff, Steve Silberstein, and Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz was so much fun. 

First Place – Adults:  KENNY NG, Whimsy

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. KENNY NG poses next to his photograph ‘Whimsy,’ which won First Place, at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit . (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

And, as is usually the case, the juror was there to discuss the winning artworks.

Debbie Wells – she of the big smile – was the Reflections juror. Her past experiences include Immediate Past Pres. and Curator of Art League of Long Island, Founding Partner of Artful Circle, Asst. Dir. of Roslyn Landmark Society, and Staff Artist at Richner Communications. Artful Enrichment is her brand-new company.

First Place – High School Students:  CHARLOTTE CHAN, Eye of the Beholder

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents the First Place award in the High School Student category to CHARLOTTE CHAN for her photograph ‘Eye of the Beholder,’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit . (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Wells shared feedback about each of the 11 winning photographs as she handed out the awards. Since I was capturing photos of the event, particularly the winners, she didn’t have my undivided attention. But I did notice she included solid info. 

Second Place – Adults:  MARCEIL KAZICKAS, Blue Over Me 

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents the Second Place award to TAG Board Member MARCEIL KAZICKAS for her photograph ‘Blue Over Me,’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Seven awards in, Wells announced my name, for my photograph ‘WEN EKROY’ won an honorable mention.
I took photos of her as I walked up for the award. When she started reading feedback on my photo of iconic Manhattan buildings reflected in the windows of the Javitts Center at dusk, I was still half-focused on what photos to capture next.

Second Place – High School Students:  HELEN MURPHY, Night and Day

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents the Second Place award in the High School Student category to HELEN MURPHY for her photograph ‘Night and Day,’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Then Wells’ comparison of qualities of my photo to a ‘Red Grooms’ landscape jolted me to attention.
Red Grooms! Back in 2009, the Nassau County Museum of Art had an electric display of his colorful, vibrant work that I visited more than once.
In fact, one of my photos of his huge sculpture ‘Jumbo’ of the grounds of NCMA was licensed years ago for use in a nationwide exam. [See a ‘Jumbo’ photo at end of this post.]

Third Place – Adults:  CAROL MILAZZO-DIRENZO, Pemaquid Reflection

    • Because Carol Milazzo-DiRenzo wasn’t present, her husband MIKE DIRENZO accepted her award on her behalf.

     

“The Art Guild Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, TAG Co-President ILENE SILBERSTEIN and an exhibiting photographer attend The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [/caption]

Hmmm, Red Grooms landscapes… My ‘WEN EKYOY’…. Red Grooms landscapes….  Yes, I could totally see it!
For years I’ve been familiar with Red Grooms’ work and, of course, my ‘WEN EKROY.’ As I reflected on the similarities, I was surprised how clear they were and how they had clearly escaped my notice.

Third Place – High School Students:  LEXI HUGEL, The Dock

“The Art Guild Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS; LEXI HUGEL, who won Third Place in the High School Student category; and Hugel’s teacher, participate at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After reading feedback about each winner, Wells handed the artist a print out of it taped to the award. That made it easy and more likely to reflect on what she said later.

Honorable MentionRICHARD FROMAN, Moment of Silence

“The Art Guild Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents an Honorary Mention award to RICHARD FROMAN for his photograph ‘Moment of Silence’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Here’s what was on the paper Debbie Wells handed to me:

‘HON. MENTION – Wen Ekroy – Ann Parry’
This grid patterned photograph allows the viewer to look at the New York City skyline with a fresh perspective. The grid grounds the composition, while the horizontal section on the top shows a reflective and delicate web of lines.
Below, the artist presents warbled and distorted shapes of iconic skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building in the center.
The buildings look animated, like a Red Grooms landscape. The photograph shines with originality because it is rare to see architecture and geometric lines look alive with unexpected verve.
The title, Wen Ekroy – New Yorke(r) spelled backwards – is a humorous commentary on the New Yorker building’s signage and quite fitting in the Reflections theme.

Honorable MentionANN PARRY, WEN EKROY

“The Art Guild

Manhattan, N.Y., U.S., Oct. 29: Empire State Building and New Yorker Hotel with its red name sign are reflected at Dusk in Javits Center Windows on 11th Avenue and 35th Street, in New York City. (NYC image © Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Honorable MentionDAVID WOLLIN, Wooden Boat

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, TAG Board Member DAVID WOLLIN, who won Honorable Mention for his panorama ‘Wooden Boat’; Juror DEBBIE WELLS; and Executive Director LISA GROSSMAN participate in The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. Kenny Ng looks back at DAVID WOLLIN’s panorama ‘Wooden Boat,’ which won an Honorary Mention, at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Honorable MentionDEBRA WALLACE, Broken Branch & Reflections

        • Debra Wallace wasn’t present to accept her award.

       

“The Art Guild Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. At center front, TAG member and exhibiting artist MARC JOSLOFF is among exhibitors, members, and guests watching The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony for its Reflections photography exhibit for high school students and adults at historic Elderfields. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Honorable MentionANNETTE KASLE, In the Forest Primeval

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents an Honorary Mention award to ANNETTE KASLE for her photograph ‘In the Forest Primeval,’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

After the reception, TAG member Steve Silberstein helped out in the office:

“The Art Guild

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. TAG member STEVE SILBERSTEIN helps out after The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit at historic Elderfields. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) is based on: Manhasset, N.Y, U.S. February 11, 2023.  KENNY NG, the First Place winner for his photograph ‘Whimsy,’ attends The Art Guild reception for its Reflections exhibition.


NOTE: Links to others’ sites are for readers’ convenience only.
T.A.G. Reception: my Photo Gallery

The Art Guild:  theartguild.org
Artful Enrichment: ArtfulEnrichment.com
CONTACT ME


Here’s my photo of Red Grooms’ sculpture ‘Jumbo’ at Nassau County Museum of Art in 2009:

“The Art Guild

Roslyn Harbor, N.Y. U.S., May 24, 2009. Red Grooms 2001 sculpture Jumbo, a large outdoor sculpture of Circus Elephant with Tamer and Acrobat, is on the grounds of the Nassau County Museum of Art. The American artist’s sculpture is enamel on aluminum, 116 x 109 1/2 x 45 inches. (© 2009 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Out of Sight’ (bronze, 2011) - two young boys with kites - is on view at 'Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens' sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Westbury House is in background. (© 2022 Ann Parry, AnnParry.com)

Seward Johnson’s fun sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
July 16, 2022

Seward Johnson Exhibition • 6/18 – 9/25/22 • buy Advance TicketsMap

UPDATE: Extended thru September 25, 2022

Re-visiting the familiar

“It’s easy sometimes to forget the simple things that give us pleasure. If we open our eyes, life is marvelous” – Seward Johnson (1930-2020)

One of my birthday week traditions is going with family or friends to photograph something special. This year I went with Bob to ‘Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens.’

The Old Westbury Gardens exhibit has over 30 Seward Johnson sculptures showing people doing everyday things. It runs from June 18th to September 5th, 2022.

my Photo Gallery – Seward Johnson at the Gardens (Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

A Reason to Smile (bronze, 2004):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘A Reason to Smile’ (bronze, 2004) – a wry take on the painting ‘Mona Lisa’ by Leonardo Da Vinci – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Other than seeing some photos of the present exhibit on Old Westbury Gardens’ facebook page, I didn’t know what to expect. I soon realized this was fun art, rather than fine art, though fine art inspired some of Johnson’s most iconic pieces.

The  statue ‘A Reason to Smile’ (see photo above) was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The statues of dancers on the West Porch (see 3 photos below) were inspired by Pierre Auguste Renoir, the French master Impressionist painter.

Time for Fun (aluminum, 2000) – country couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022.  Visitor BOB STUHMER is having fun with ‘Time for Fun’ (aluminum, 2000), which is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the Country,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Time for Fun (aluminum, 2000) – country couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022.  ‘Time for Fun’ (aluminum, 2000) – a country couple dancing outdoors, the woman holding fan high, and wearing red hat – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the Country,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Whispering Close (aluminum, 2000) – city couple:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Whispering Close’ (aluminum, 2000) – a city couple dancing outdoors, the man wearing black tails, the woman with elegant dress and long gloves – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at  Old Westbury Gardens. The statue is inspired by painting ‘Dance in the City,’ by Pierre Auguste Renoir. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

HEADS UP:  There are no pamphlets about the exhibit. Considering how small the maps, or large the pamphlets, would have to be, this seems both reasonable and ecologically friendly.

Instead, close to the parking lot, there are large panels displaying a map of the grounds, basic info about the exhibit of statues, and a QR Code to direct smart phones to online info:

  • Seward Johnson Exhibition
    (page no longer available online)

Testing Togetherness  – bronze, 2010 [ full view ]:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Testing Togetherness’ (bronze, 2010), seen in closeup – a young couple lying on grass, with girl’s head on boy’s chest- is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I had more spontaneous, quick conversations with fellow visitors than during any earlier visit to Old Westbury Gardens.

Though strangers may typically avoid staring at each other, at this exhibit, we often stared at each other from a distance or even rather close. Were we approaching fellow visitors or trompe-l’œil statues?

Time and again, I’d cross paths with someone smiling who’d say something along the lines of, “Did you see the statue of a couple lying down under the tree? I was sure they were real people, even when I got closer, but they didn’t move…”   (see above photo)

The Landlady (aluminum, 2004):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘The Landlady’ (aluminum, 2004) – an older woman sitting at a table with holding open ledger – is on view in Westbury House at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. The work is inspired by the painting ‘L’Arlésienne’ by Vincent van Gogh.(© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Membership

Except for Old Westbury Gardens members, visitors must purchase tickets in advance. The exhibit is free with admission.

There are several big reasons I’ve kept my OWG membership active, despite Covid: it’s mainly an outdoor venue; I can go, or not, on the spur of the moment, and there’s no cost factor against making short or multiple visits to one event.

Sweet Sixteen  – 1981  [ side  rear 1  rear 2 ]:

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Sweet Sixteen’ (1981) – from the ‘Reading’ group, and showing a girl sitting atop bench, reading a book – is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at historic Old Westbury Gardens (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless camera with the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 lens to capture all photos except ‘Waving Girl,’ which I captured with my iPhone (see last post). Though I LOVE my Nikon gear, they’re not light, and it was a hot day.

So, after a couple of hours of photographing statues mainly in the west area of the grounds, it was near dinner time, and Bob and I left.

I look forward to returning to “bump into” and photograph more statues at the Gold Coast estate before the Seward Johnson exhibit ends.

Creating  (bronze, 1981, 1984):

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘A visitor takes a selfie with ‘Creating’ (bronze, 1981), a statue of a man sketching a landscape, during the ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

‘It often happens that when you look at familiar things through someone else’s eyes you see them as you have never seen them before.’ – John Mole, ‘It’s All Greek to Me!’  2004

Waving Girl (bronze, 1982)

Seward Johnson Sculptures at Old Westbury Gardens 2022

Old Westbury, New York, U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Waving Girl’ (bronze, 1982) – a young woman waving as if to call to someone across the West Pond, is on view at ‘Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Captured using iPhone 13 Pro (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)


FEATURE PHOTO (top of post) other views: side  closeup – Old Westbury, N.Y., U.S. June 24, 2022. ‘Out of Sight’ (bronze, 2011) – two young boys with kites – is on view at ‘Re-Visiting the Familiar: Seward Johnson at the Gardens’ sculpture exhibition at Old Westbury Gardens. Westbury House is in background.


Seward Johnson at the Gardens: my Photo Gallery

OldWestburyGardens.org

SewardJohnsonAtelier.org 

CONTACT ME