East Quogue Artists Show Is The First Of Its Kind At The Quogue Library

The sleepy hamlet of East Quogue is home to several artists. Among them are painters, photographers and sculptors who have taken their life experiences and the influences of their community and shown them on canvas, through the lens of a camera, or molded with their hands into works of art.

And now, for the first time ever, the Art Gallery at the Quogue Library will showcase several of these East Quogue artists, and East Quogue artists only, in a group exhibit which opens Friday, April 1.

The idea for the exhibit came about casually, according to Rose Mancusi, chairwoman of the Art Gallery Committee at the Quogue Library. She was sitting in a salon chair at Katherine & Co. Salon on Main Street in Westhampton Beach, when Maria Daddino, a columnist for the The Press News Group, came in to treat herself to a cut and style. The ladies had shared short conversations prior to that day, but as Ms. Mancusi and Ms. Daddino explained over a series of interviews last week, small talk led to a mention by Ms. Mancusi of how many “wonderfully talented” artists lived in their East Quogue community.

“It was funny because we both felt the same way,” Ms. Daddino said. “There’s just so much local talent to be tapped within East Quogue and when Rose told me that the committee was thinking about doing an exhibit of local artists only, I jumped at the opportunity to work with her. It’s been a whirlwind ever since.”

The participating artists—painters Peter Beston, Lance Corey and Edith DeChiara; painter/sculptor Neva Setlow; photographers Bruno Gaget, Carol Galanty, Peter Hill and Meryl Spiegel; and mixed-media artist Julie O’Daly—had been on the gallery committee’s radar for various reasons. For instance, Ms. Setlow was tapped by library organizers after they had seen her resume and works featured at the East End Arts Council; Mr. Beston crossed paths with Ms. Daddino at a Christmas dinner party; Mr. Corey credits his selection to word of mouth and a recommendation by Ms. Spiegel, who herself was tapped directly by Ms. Mancusi.

Through the efforts of committee co-chairs Christina Kepner, Christy Murray and Jean Duffy (along with many others), word of the upcoming exhibit spread fast.

“The gallery at the library is really a beautiful space and it’s entirely dedicated to displaying artwork, which is unusual in that type of space,” Ms. Mancusi said. “Most libraries that have a space for art are not fully dedicated to that end. I suppose this is just another reason why our community library is of such value.”

Ms. Daddino agreed. “There is something about the Quogue Library; it’s welcoming, it’s warm, it reminds you of libraries from years gone by. It’s quiet and just so lovely. There isn’t a better space for these works to be shown,” she said.

“Quiet” and “lovely” are two descriptors often used by artists interviewed over the last week when asked what they felt defined the allure of East Quogue and why it was conducive to creativity.

Mr. Corey, whose medium involves latex, acrylic paints, spray paint, markers and, per his description, basically anything he can get his hands on, said it was the wistfulness of East Quogue and Quogue that seemed to spur his art onward.

“People talk about the light here a lot, and we do have beautiful lighting, but it’s also about the quiet. I grew up in Merrick ... I know Long Island really well, and all of the communities along the East End are special in their own way, but there is a distinct quietness in East Quogue that allows you to drift,” Mr. Corey said.

Mr. Beston, a native of London who moved to East Quogue only two years ago after a long stint in New York City, found the tranquility of East Quogue akin to the shoreline towns in England.

“When I came to visit the East End, the first time out, I knew I would have a home here one day and I told myself, when that time comes, I’ll be in retirement,” he said. “When I finally did make the move here, I knew it was time for me to paint full time and I found a home with a dedicated studio space.”

Three of the paintings Mr. Beston will exhibit in this show are a blend of both worlds. “Rain in the Channel” depicts a beachscape of a town in Sussex, aptly named Little Hampton. The other two works on show, “Restless,” and “Shell Dance” tie into East Quogue in many ways, the artist said.

“Oddly enough, ‘Restless’ is a very Hamptons-type of picture,” he said. The painting of Adirondack chairs features a striking graphic composition. “I started it when I lived in Manhattan, oddly enough. When one sees chairs like that, you think of restfulness. But I wanted to subvert that idea through framing and composition. It’s a picture where the eye never rests.”

“Shell Dance” was inspired by a walk along Quogue Beach where he picked up shells, perfect and not, admiring their texture and the way in which the ocean had naturally reworked them, he said.

Mr. Gaget, a French born photographer who has lived in East Quogue since 1997, utilizes contemporary elements in his work. With a history in fashion photography, he has worked very hands-on with models—at times slathering them in brightly-colored paints or other materials that play with skin color and texture. “Creme” and “Doucer,” two of the works to be shown in the exhibit, highlight exactly that.

Mr. Gaget said that for him, his art boils down to his love of all things beautiful.

“I find my inspiration everywhere. I believe in beauty. I always find what is beautiful in people. It is what draws me in. And that is something I found here. I’m a windsurfer, I love the water, I love to swim. When I first came here, I felt so at home. I felt I must have lived here in a previous life,” he laughed.

The outpouring of support among neighboring businesses for the exhibit has been great, according to Ms. Mancusi.

“It’s been incredible how much excitement has been generated around this event. Everyone has really come together to celebrate the artists and ultimately, our community. It’s a special celebration for a special place,” she said.

“A Special Tribute to East Quogue Artists and Photographers” will go on display on Friday, April 1, at the Quogue Library on Quogue Street. A free opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 9, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. For additional information, call 653-4224 or visit quoguelibrary.org.