Category Archives: museums

Modigliani & the Modern Portrait at Nassau County Museum of Art

From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
July 26, 2023

Modigliani & the Modern Portrait – Nassau County Museum of Art
Exhibit on view through November 5, 2023
Map – One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11578

liking Modigliani

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Visitor BARRY poses outdoors behind large gilt frame as his wife captures photo of him opening weekend of 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Visitor BARRY poses behind large gilt frame as his wife captures his portrait during opening weekend of ‘Modigliani and the Modern Portrait’ exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Modigliani and I go way way back, so I visited the Nassau County Museum of Art’s exhibit “Modigliani and the Modern Portrait” with Bob during its opening weekend.

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Portrait of a Woman, 1919, an oil on millboard, glazed, by AMEDEO MODIGLIANI (1884-1920) is on view - and also featured on the poster above main lobby fireplace - at the Nassau County Museum of Art during its 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

[Photo Composite] Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Portrait of a Woman,’ 1919, a glazed oil on millboard, by AMEDEO MODIGLIANI (1884-1920) is on view – and also featured on exhibit poster above main lobby fireplace – at Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

like Modigliani

When we were quite young, my brothers and I enjoyed going to summer programs at Park Avenue School. In crafts, we made more lanyards, loop belts and woven straw baskets than necessary, and when Lou and John headed to sports, I headed to art classes.

Not long ago, an oil painting I created during one of those classes surfaced in my basement. The closeup portrait, on coated heavy paper, shows a woman in profile, from her shoulders to her long curved neck to her head with blond hair swept up high.

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023.'Portrait of Madame Rachele Osterlind,' 1919, an oil on canvas by Amedeo Modigliani (1994-1920) is on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art during its 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit.(© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. ‘Portrait of Madame Rachele Osterlind,’ 1919, an oil on canvas by AMEDEO MODIGLIANI (1884-1920) is on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Seeing that portrait, I vividly remembered how excited my mom was over a half century ago when she told me the art teacher said it was like a Modigliani painting.

Ten-year-old me barely had time to wonder “Modigliani?” before Mom explained he’s an artist famous for portraits with exaggerated long necks. And soon after I checked our family’s Encyclopedia Britannica to learn more about his work.

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023.BOB STUHMER and ANN PARRY visit The Nassau County Museum of Art during the opening weekend of its 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit(© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. L-R, BOB STUHMER and ANN PARRY visit The Nassau County Museum of Art during the opening weekend of its ‘Modigliani & the Modern Portrait’ exhibit (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

More than once during my school years, I heard Mom telling others about the time an art teacher compared my work to Modigliani’s.

Then I’d smile, with fond thoughts of Modigliani, and loving thoughts of Mom.

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. ‘Self-Portrait,’ circa 1958, a photogram gelatin silver print and cutout by PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) is on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

picture yourself

During my visit to the Modigliani exhibit, I noticed a large empty gilt frame on display outside the Arnold & Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building.

A woman standing in front of the frame was taking photos of her husband posing behind it. Bob and I went over, and I ended up taking photos of them, and they took some of us.

You can see these fun, very modern portraits at start and end of this post, and in my photo gallery.

The “Modigliani and the Modern Portrait” exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art runs through November 5, 2023. ∞

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. 'Egyptian Head,' 1922, by Gaston Lachaise (1882-1935; is one of several bronze busts on display during 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. ‘Egyptian Head,’1922, by GASTON LACHAISE (1882-1935, is one of several bronze busts on display at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

• NOTE: images immediately above & below show same area of gallery

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023.L-R, Visitor stands next to bronze busts: 'Scofield Thayer,' 1923, by Gaston Lachaise (1882-1935); 'Egyptian Head,' 1922, also by Gaston Lachaise; and 'Kent Leavitt,' 1936, by Isamu Noguchi (1904-1988), during 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit at Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. L-R, Visitor stands near bronze busts: ‘Scofield Thayer,’ 1923, by GASTON LACHAISE (1882-1935); ‘Egyptian Head,’ 1922, also by GASTON LACHAISE ; and ‘Kent Leavitt,’ 1936, by ISAMU NOGUCHI (1904-1988), at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Modigliani NCMA –

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. At right, Untitled (Marilyn Monroe), 1967, by ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987) is on view during The Nassau County Museum of Art 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Modigliani NCMA –

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Three photo and pigmented beeswax combines, 2019, by Marybeth Rothman: Victoria Pullen, Syringa, and Melody Hitchcock, are on view during The Nassau County Museum of Art 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. L-R, Three photo and pigmented beeswax combines, 2019, by MARYBETH ROTHMAN: L-R, ‘Victoria Pullen,’ ‘Syringa,’ and ‘Melody Hitchcock,’ are on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) head-on view

– Modigliani NCMA –

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Andy Warhol's colorful (1928-1982) Untitled (Marilyn Monroe), 1967, is on view during The Nassau County Museum of Art 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Modigliani NCMA –

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. The Arnold & Joan Saltzman Fine Art Building at Nassau County Museum of Art is the former Frick Mansion on the Gold Coast of Long Island. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

– Modigliani NCMA –

Feature Photo (at top of post): Roslyn, N.Y., U.S. July 23, 2023. Visitor views Portrait of a Boy, 1918, an oil on canvas by Amedeo Modigliani (1884-1920) at the Nassau County Museum of Art.

Modigliani & Modern Portrait: my PHOTO GALLERY

Nassau County Museum of Art: site • become a member

CONTACT ME

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. BOB STUHMER and ANN PARRY pose behind a large gilt frame outdoors at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Visitor BARRY captured the photo with Ann's iPhone. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. L-R, BOB STUHMER and ANN PARRY pose behind a large gilt frame outdoors at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo captured by visitor BARRY with Ann’s iPhone 13 Pro.

Model Trains Now & Then at Cradle of Aviation Museum

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
December 31, 2022

‘When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.’ – Max Planck (1858-1947)

Long Island Garden Railway Society holiday displays

At the Cradle of Aviation Museum this December 26th, I enjoyed capturing photos of the Long Island Garden Railway Society’s display for the winter holidays, as I did 10 years ago on December 26, 2012.

• 2012:

Dec. 26, 2012. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. – The Long Island Garden Railway Society large-scale model train display surrounds a large decorated tree during winter holidays at Cradle of Aviation Museum. Grumman Blue Angels F-11 Tiger jet is suspended from ceiling. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Though the 2012 and 2022 model train displays I covered were by the same large scale model train organization, LIGRS, at the same museum, CAM, there were also differences – including in my photography equipment, experience, goals, and the COVID-19 impact.

• 2012:

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S. G scale New York Central engine passes by the carousel in the carnival theme section of the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Photography Equipment

When covering the event in 2012, I used my Nikon D74 DSLR full-frame camera, with a zoom lens, the Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 lG ED – arguably the best prime lens, to use as a sole lens, to cover such an event.

A few days ago, I used my Nikon Z9 mirrorless full-frame camera with a macro lens, the Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S – an outstanding lens to capture macro, closeup photos of small subjects such as model trains.

This year, had my goal been covering the event and location thoroughly, I would’ve also used a second lens- for example, my Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 A prime lens or my iPhone Pro. My goal was to work on capturing the best photos possible with my macro lens.

• 2012:

Dec. 26, 2012 – Garden City, New York, U.S. This young boy came with his family to see the Long Island Garden Railway Society display in atrium of the Cradle of Aviation Museum. A member of LIGRS is in the center area, available to answer visitors’ questions. (© 2012 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Experience with Place & Subject

The Cradle of Aviation Museum is the Long Island museum I’ve photographed the longest and most often. For over a decade, I’ve loved photographing a wide variety of locations there, repeatedly, from morning to to dusk and night.

And over the past ten years I’ve covered model train events at several places and by several passionate organizations on Long Island, often more than once.

This year, after covering the atrium ground floor display, I asked myself, ‘Time to walk up the stairs to cover this from the upper levels?’ and answered, ‘Not really.’

• 2022:

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young woman G scale model train figure stands next to a classic red pickup truck with ‘Coca-Cola’ on door at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

COVID-19 impact

The model train display looked a bit toned down this year.

It’s been years since spring 2020 when New York became an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce one’s risk of being hospitalized or worse due to the virus. Wearing N95 or KN95 masks significantly reduces the chance of transmitting or getting COVID-19.

But many of Long Island’s museums and clubs are still negatively impacted by COVID-19 – with lower average rates of attendance and participation.

• 2022:

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A bright yellow Denver & Rio Grande Western Passenger Coach G scale car is in the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

• 2022 – side view of train in Feature Photo:

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A 1931 American Locomotive Company Superheater, seen here in closeup, is part of he Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

About LIGRS’ display:

G scale model trains circle the large festive tree in CAM’s atrium. They pass through many themed areas, including an old-fashioned drive-in theater and a train station.

It’s no surprise the Long Island Garden Railway Society choose G scale, which is both the largest scale model train (ratio of 1:22.5) and most popular outdoor scale model train.

The large size, durability, and ruggedness of G scale model trains make them ideal for large indoor areas, and for outdoors – even in the snow!

• 2022:

Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A Santa Claus G scale model train figure rings a bell as he stands next to an antique car at the Long Island Garden Railway Society display at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. (© 2022 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

FEATURE PHOTO (at top): Dec. 26, 2022. Garden City, N.Y., U.S. A young boy points to a model train traveling around the Long Island Garden Railway Society display of model trains at the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

Year round at Cradle of Aviation Museum:

Along with special exhibits and events, the air & space museum has the jetBlue Sky Theater Planetarium and world class permanent exhibits – many with historic Long Island roots.

Cradle of Aviation Store – Before leaving CAM this week, I went to the Museum Store and bought my toddler grandson a couple of souvenirs: an adorable pilot’s hat and plush toy version of the genuine U.S. Navy Grumman F11 Tiger Jet suspended from the atrium.

my CAM Model Trains galleries: 2012 photos • 2022 photos

Long Island Garden Railway Society: ligrs.club • membership form

Cradle of Aviation Museum

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Nunley’s Carousel Reopens with a Roar 2022

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
August 27, 2022

Nunley’s Carousel site • facebook • MAP • buy tickets
till 9/11/22: Thurs. thru Sun., 11 am – 4 pm

Lion & Horses & Chariot! Oh My!

VIDEO soundtrack: Billy Joel’s ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on Nunley’s Carousel organ • FULL SCREEN: click lower right corner

What goes around (and around) has come around on Long Island this summer!

We can once again enjoy Nunley’s Carousel, which recently reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic forced it to close in 2020.

The official ceremony on August 16th had speeches, a ribbon-cutting, and the ultimate fun treat for all – especially the many young children and their parents – a nostalgic ride on Nunley’s Carousel’s lion, 41 horses, and chariot.

• my Photo Gallery – Nunley’s Carousel reopens
(Plus, click each photo below to see larger one.)

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN, at center, presides over the ribbon cutting ceremony when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

The carousel – now under the management of the Long Island Children’s Museum – is located in the Nunley’s Carousel glass pavilion on Museum Row in Garden City, It’s between LICM and the Cradle of Aviation Museum, which previously managed the carousel.

If you’d like to ride the carousel this summer, be sure to visit by September 11th, since it will be closed from September 12 to October 4, 2022 for the Long Island Children’s Museum Fall Fix-Up.

During the ceremony, Nassau County Executive BRUCE BLAKEMAN shared childhood memories of Nunley’s.

Excerpts from his speech:

Let me tell you something, I was one of those kids that grew up at Nunley’s, and I grew up in Valley Stream, probably 4 1/2 – 5 miles from Nunley’s.

And on a Sunday, if we were really good, and my 3 sisters and brother, we would be treated to going to Nunley’s. And we would ride the roller coaster, and we’d ride the other rides.

And of course, the highlight was always the carousel, and it brings back so many childhood memories to be here today.

I just talked to so many people in the community who remember vividly the first time they went to Nunley’s and they used the carousel and they took all the rides,

And you know, this carousel right here is a real work of art. It’s over 110 years old, and the fact that we could restore it is really something special.

[….]

So I couldn’t be more pleased to be here today for the opening again of the Nunley’s Carousel, a place that brought me so many great memories, childhood memories.

I have 3 sisters and a brother. They live in Arizona now. They are gonna be so jealous when I send the photos today of that.

By the way, we got to go [to Nunley’s] if we got good grades and we behaved ourselves, so obviously my sisters got to go a lot more than I did….

Based on the laughs following Blakeman’s final comment, many related to it – I certainly did!

Among those Blakeman thanked for attending:

SUZANNE LEBLANC – Long Island Children’s Museum President
SCOTT BERMAN – Long Island Children’s Museum Board Chair
ANDREW PARTON – Cradle of Aviation Museum President
GARY GRASSO – National Carousel Association Board Member
FRAN PATERSON – Nunley family representative – the great-niece of William Nunley. (photo near end of post)
GARY FARKASH – Baldwin Historical Society President

Nunley’s Carousel Wurlitzer 153 Band Organ

When the carousel first started, I was surprised the music was a recording of Billy Joel performing his ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ on the piano. Why wasn’t the organ playing his music?

During the ceremony, the carousel organ was set so it could only play off music rolls, not MIDI files (Musical Instrument Digital Interface files)
The midi was disconnected.
Blowers providing air for the organ were on.
The pump which provides air to play pipes, and to read the music roll as it passes over the tracker bar, was also on.
To play off the MIDI files, the pump has to be turned off, and the MIDI has to be reconnected.

I look forward to my grandchildren enjoying the full Nunley’s Carousel experience in the future: riding the magnificently carved and decorated carousel horses, lion, and chariot + hearing the carousel organ playing music.

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, BETH OBERGH, of Wantagh, and BOB STUHMER, of Garden City Park, chat when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Stuhmer arranged many of the songs the carousel organ plays. Obergh took care of and operated the carousel for 11 years until all carousel employees were laid off in 2020. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

When BILLY JOEL composed ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ he had BOB STUHMER arrange it for Nunley’s Carousel organ. Stuhmer – a member of AMICA (Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association) and COAA (Carousel Organ Association of America) – gave Nunley’s a CD of music he arranged for its organ and professionally recorded on site. ‘Waltz #1 (Nunley’s Carousel)’ is the first piece on the CD. (see above photo)

Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. L-R, ANDREW PARTON, Cradle of Aviation Museum President • [LYNNE D’AGOSTINO, Ed.D., Long Island Children’s Museum Board Member] • SUZANNE LEBLANC, LICM President • BRUCE BLAKEMAN, Nassau County Executive • GARY GRASSO, National Carousel Association Board Member • SCOTT BERMAN, LICM Board Chair • and DARCY BELYEA, Nassau County Commissioner of Parks; pose with carousel in background when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Blakeman holds Historic Carousel Award 2020 plaque presented to Nunley’s Carousel by NCA. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Historic Carousel Award 2020

GARY GRASSO, a board member of the National Carousel Association, presented the Historic Carousel Award 2020 to Nunley’s Carousel. NCA had been waiting since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Long Island to present the plaque. (see above photo)

That’s the ticket

Get useful, updated info here: licm.org/nunleys

One ticket is $3 for members of Long Island Children Museum
One ticket is $4 for non-members
Ten-ticket packs are discounted

… and the Nunley’s Carousel experience is – wait for it – priceless!

Garden City, N.Y., U.S. August 16, 2022. FRAN PATERSON, of Poconos, Pennsylvania, represents the Nunley family when Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. Paterson, the great-niece of William Nunley, rode the lead horse, her favorite. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

Feature Photo (at top of post): Garden City, New York, U.S. August 16, 2022. A young girl and her mother ride on horses when historic Nunley’s Carousel officially reopens. (© 2022 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com).

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens: my PHOTO GALLERY

site: licm.org/nunleys

video: vimeo.com/annparry/nunleys2022

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From Long Island

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Category Archives: museums

Modigliani & the Modern Portrait at Nassau County Museum of Art

Model Trains Now & Then at Cradle of Aviation Museum

Nunley’s Carousel Reopens with a Roar 2022