The Islip Arts Council (IAC), now celebrating its 50th year, is offering a variety of holiday events this December, most of which are free.
“We’ve had many different performances over the years,” said Executive Director Lynda Moran in an interview with South Shore Press. Founded in 1974, the IAC is a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the arts.
Most of the events this month will be held at the South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, which has provided storefront gallery space for performances, art shows, and more since 2020.
“When COVID happened, they had an empty store space that they made available because we’re a 501(c)(3). So, we have a bookstore inside of the gallery. We have a gift shop inside the gallery, and we also have exhibition space on the walls. It’s a 2,400-square-foot storefront.”
With a variety of events, there's something for everyone in December, including opportunities to shop for artisan creations, listen to festive orchestra tunes, or browse an art show. The mall is located at 1701 Sunrise Highway, and the gallery is next to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
For that hard-to-shop-for person on your list—or anyone with unique tastes—there’s also the Annual Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 12 to 7 p.m. at the IAC gallery.
Next is the month-long Winter White art exhibition, which opens Dec. 10. This biannual show features the work of IAC members.
Two free concerts will also help get folks into the holiday spirit. On Thursday, Dec. 12, the East Islip High School Orchestra will perform at the IAC gallery at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 14, the West Islip Symphony Orchestra will present Sounds of the Season, conducted by Paul Little, at 3 p.m.
The West Islip Symphony has long been a partner with the IAC, offering at least four large concerts annually, along with a summer program.
“It’s quite a professional symphony orchestra, and they came to us one year asking if they could perform here,” Moran said, noting that IAC has received grants that make programs like this possible.
Regarding this "showstopper" performance, Moran said the orchestra always draws a crowd, not only of listeners but also of dancers. “It’s a great event, and we do this all for the community so that the community could be entertained at no cost.”
The final event takes place outside the gallery, but Moran said it’s worth the short trip to St. Mark’s Church, 754 Montauk Highway in Islip, for A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, in Fenton Hall. Tickets are available at stmarksislip.org, ranging from $20 for the general public to $15 for parishioners and IAC members. Tickets for children under 12 are $5. The event is an adaptation of the Dickens classic, with music by Gilbert & Sullivan.
This concert is part of a Suffolk County Parks grant that allows the IAC to provide art and music in historic or worship-related sites, Moran said.
Throughout the year, the IAC offers a number of community events, including classes and workshops for all ages.