Saturday is the opening reception at the Village Arts Building for the Shape, Form, Light – 10-Year Anniversary Member Exhibit, celebrating 10 years in this location, as well as the growth of the Northport Arts Association (NAA) over the past 10 years. In that time, the NAA has added a Clay Studio, built its year-round offerings of classes across all media, and introduced its annual Plein Air Paint-Out, as well as many other community programs.
The NAA was established in 2013, with a group of local artists recognizing the need for such an organization. Claire Gengarelly did the due diligence to enable the organization to obtain its non-profit status. Options were explored for a home for the organization, with a lot of effort spent looking into the long empty Pier Group. The costs were prohibitive. Gene Rantz spoke at group meeting about the importance of a physical home for the NAA, but also about the overwhelming cost associated with that. Bill and Nina Collins were at that meeting.
Subsequently, Gene, Bill and Nina met to explore what would be required and where it could be located. Those efforts came to fruition when, in the spring of 2016, Bill and Nina broke ground at 301 Mill Street. The building was completed that summer. The Collins donated the building to the NAA, and it was dedicated as the Village Arts Building in October, 2016. The first members exhibit was held that weekend. This year’s exhibit promises to be a wonderful tribute to this legacy, and a testament to the amazing quality and breadth of artists that call this area home. Omena resident Oran Hesterman will have his ceramics in the show.
