Tag Archives: Park Avenue School

[blogpost feature photo] Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. The Nassau County Museum of Art holds the opening weekend of its 'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit, which is on view through Nov. 5, 2023. (© 2023 Ann Parry, annparry.com)

Modigliani & the Modern Portrait at Nassau County Museum of Art

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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'Modigliani and the Modern Portrait' exhibit. exhibit(© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. At right, ‘Untitled (Marilyn Monroe),’ 1967, by ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987) is on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 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)

Roslyn Harbor, New York, U.S. July 23, 2023. ‘Black Hats IV,’ 2012, 63-color silkscreen on paper by ALEX KATZ, (b. 1927) is on view at the Nassau County Museum of Art. (© 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)

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

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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.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher pauses in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Some shook hands or hugged NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 and student at Mepham High School. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001.

Building Memories at Park Avenue School 9/11 Memorial Garden

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From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
September 12, 2019

Early yesterday, the 18th Anniversary of 9/11, I heard a woman’s solemn, amplified voice coming through my open windows and thought it was from a neighbor’s TV playing the annual Manhattan 9/11 ceremony.

Having another idea a few minutes later, I walked outside and looked down the road to Park Avenue School.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. L-R, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, and Park Avenue School Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL pose for photo after outdoor remembrance ceremony on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

Hundreds of students, their teachers, and Principal EILEEN SPEIDEL were outside listening to a patriotic song as they faced the 9/11 Memorial Garden and the American Flag flying at half mast in front of the school’s entrance. 

September 11th Remembrance Day

Two days earlier, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation (Senate 41661/Assembly 1801B) for September 11th Remembrance Day.

The new law, effective immediately, calls for a brief moment of silence in public schools throughout New York State at the beginning of the school day each Sept. 11th, to encouraging dialogue and education in the classroom and ensure an ongoing understanding of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their place in history:

Governor Andrew Cuomo: “9/11 was one of the single darkest periods in this state’s and this nation’s history, and we owe it to those we lost and to the countless heroes who ran toward danger that day and the days that followed to do everything we can to keep their memory alive. By establishing this annual day of remembrance and a brief moment of silence in public schools, we will help ensure we never forget — not just the pain of that moment but of the courage, sacrifice and outpouring of love that defined our response.” 

The 9/11 terrorist attacks in nearby NYC leveled the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, killing over 3,000 people, including first responders who later died due to breathing toxic air at the sites.

Park Avenue School’s students live in North Bellmore and North Merrick, and residents from both towns were among the victims of the attacks. 

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123 , as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

N. Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School, a teacher hugs NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, of Merrick, a member of Boy Scout Troop 123, as her students walk around the 9/11 Memorial Garden on their way back into school after 9/11 ceremony, on 18th Anniversary of terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

9/11 Memorial Garden

During the ceremony, NICHOLAS CARRANO, 15, a member of Merrick Boy Scout Troop 123 and a student at Mepham High School, stood next to the school’s 9/11 Memorial Garden, which has a sturdy two-foot tall circular stone wall around a shade tree and flowering plants, a Peace Pole with “Peace” written in 12 languages, two American Flags, and a plaque atop a small stone monument.

Carrano, a graduate of Park Avenue School, was there because this summer he built the current 9/11 Memorial Garden for his Eagle Scout project. The former garden only had that plaque on its wood rectangular border. As Principal Speidel explained, people didn’t even realize it was a 9/11 Memorial Garden because the plaque blended in with the wood.

As students made their way back to the school building, they slowly looped around, and often paused at, the 9/11 Memorial Garden.

Some of the young girls and boys walked up to Carrano to shake his hand, and some teachers who came up to him gave him a hug, as the students looked on.

Back…

I was a member of Park Avenue School’s first 1st grade class, and my strongest memory of that year was facing the front of the building as I stood by it with a group of people, and then writing my name on a piece of paper passed around.

Decades later, when I mentioned that odd memory to my mom, she smiled and explained I was the 1st grade representative at Park Avenue School’s cornerstone ceremony.

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song, and then each class with its teacher paused in front of the 9/11 Memorial Garden garden in front of the entrance, on their way back into the school. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (Ann Parry/Ann Parry, ann-parry.com)

North Merrick, New York, U.S. September 11, 2019. At Park Avenue School students and staff listen to a patriotic song. Earlier in ceremony, Principal E. Speidel of the K-6 elementary school talked about the significance of 911 and the 9/11 Memorial Garden, on the 18th Anniversary of the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. (© 2019 Ann Parry/Ann-Parry.com)

…and Forth

I wouldn’t be surprised if the 9/11 Remembrance ceremony is one of the memories Park Avenue School students keep long after they graduate.

And if they have some form of this outdoor lesson each 9/11 at Park Ave, they likely won’t need to ask anyone what it was all about.

PAZ  •  和平  •  PEACE  •   رحمها الله  •  MÍR 
POKÓJ  •  Waffenstillstand  •  ειρήνη 
Barış  •  мир  •  PAIX  •  שלום  •  PACE 

Click each photo above to see larger size.

9/11 2019 Park Ave. School:  PHOTO GALLERY

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