Once considered a sleepy town with art venues tucked away like hidden gems, the Village of Huntington today showcases its inherent creativity with an annual Art Walk.
Presented during fall’s own artistry, the outing—scheduled this year for Sunday, Oct. 6 from 12 to 5 p.m.—is a self-guided tour of not only the village galleries but exhibits at local museums and the Huntington Public Library. A total of 11 venues are part of this free tour.
The annual walk’s originator, Wendy Curtiss of Huntington Art Center, recalls her inspiration for launching this popular event. “I actually started it because people were coming into our little shop and gallery and asking where they could buy art and they didn't want to go into Manhattan, and I said, “There's all kinds of places in town... I just think the art community was kind of hidden and underserved in Huntington back then.” Though each of the galleries had events that they sponsored, they lacked the oomph of a joint activity. Curtiss reached out to the nonprofit Huntington Arts Council and The Heckscher Museum getting everybody “on the same page.”
Curtiss likened the event to a scavenger hunt where participants follow a map to visit various arts venues that are all within a mile’s walk, with opportunities for live music, as well as food and beverages either at the galleries or the many local restaurants. There is no specific order required for one's journey, which means participants can see a few or all of the venues discovering the art at their own pace. “A lot of the artists will be present to talk about their work... It's just really a great event in town,” said Curtiss, estimating that fair weather could draw well over 500 people.
Some highlights include an opportunity to meet the artists behind "The Body Politic: Long Island Biennial 2024" at The Heckscher Museum from 12-2 p.m. The featured artists providing insight into their work are Lisa Stanko, Mark Van Wagner, Adam Straus, Lauren Skelly Bailey, Julia Moore and Melissa Pressler.
The museum also introduces Kelynn Alder of "New Yorker" magazine fame and Marion Lainez, inspired by Latin American and folk art, in “Artists in Conversation: Identity, Community & Culture" from 3 to 4 p.m. with a reception to follow.
At Huntington Arts Council, the special focus will be an exhibition by Helen Murdock-Prep entitled, “Don’t Tell: The #Metoo Art of Helen Murdock-Prep”, which takes on the topic of sexual abuse during high school. “My outrage has fueled my commitment to bring awareness to this issue through my art,” the artist has said.
Among the other venues, Huntington Public Library is presenting a talk, at 2 p.m., by Robyn Bellospirito, a local artist who suffered a series of strokes that left her with mild aphasia, a type of brain injury in 2022. Her work will be featured from 1 to 4 p.m., and her message to others: “My intention is to show those with communication difficulties like aphasia, how they can use art and music to express themselves and feel empowered.”
To get a copy of the flyer and map to guide your own tour of the Village of Huntington go to the Paramount Marquee or another participating venue as named in the website at huntingtonartcenter.com.