A Second Century of Art and Inspiration
January February March 2024
Benefit
THE HECKSCHER MUSEUM OF ART ANNUAL BENEFIT “It is critical to remember the power of the arts. It’s what validates our humanity… it’s celebrating that eternal life force in all of us.” — ANDREA WOZNY The Heckscher Museum’s 2023 Celebrate Achievement Benefit was a fabulous success! The event honored Susan Van Scoy, Ph.D., Robert G. Carter, artist, and Andrea Wozny, 1999 Long Island’s Best alumnus, for their unique contributions to the arts and support of The Heckscher Museum. The event Co-Chairs did a wonderful job in bringing this benefit to life. The venue was the picturesque Water’s Edge, Centerport, NY, across the pond from the Arthur Dove/Helen Torr Cottage, the inspiration for the October 14 gala. The day included a silent auction of original artwork from five Long Island Biennial artists, and five Long Island’s Best high school students. Drawn Together NYC and the Highline String Quartet provided the entertainment for the afternoon. Thank you to all the sponsors and donors for their generosity in ensuring that the Museum continues its mission of bringing art and inspiration to the community.
Clockwise, from top left: Benefit honorees Susan Van Scoy, Ph.D., Robert G. Carter, artist, and Andrea Wozny, 1999 Long Island’s Best alumnus with Heather Arnet, Executive Director and CEO; Benefit Co-Chairs left to right: Sarah Heric, Jill Seiman-Mayer, Jessica Brassler, Susie Futter, Jen Zuklie, Elizabeth Halpern, Katie Morin, Erin Cunningham, Poranee Chen, and Richard T. Cunniff, Jr.; Guests at Water’s Edge; Artists from Drawn Together NYC sketched portraits of Benefit guests throughout the afternoon; Long Island Biennial artist Thomas Germano (left) painted Dove/Torr Cottage, Centerport, LI, for a silent auction supporting the Benefit. Priscilla and Robert Hughes were the auction winners for this artwork.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ical art. Scholars consider The Stick Men to be George Grosz’s artistic social-political legacy, and the subject matter, sadly, could not be more relevant. As I write this letter to you, there are active global conflicts in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Columbia, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Israel, Libya, Palestine, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine, threatening thousands of lives every day.
The Heckscher Museum of Art has been awarded a JumpStart grant from Suffolk County to seed plans for an outdoor café for summer 2024. Pictured left to right, Executive Director and CEO Heather Arnet, Steve Bellone, former Suffolk County Executive, and Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, Executive Director of Eastville Community Historical Society and member of the Board of Directors of the Museum Association of New York.
Dear Friends, As the new year begins, it is fitting that the next exhibition to open at the Museum is The Rains are Changing Fast. The show’s title is inspired by a 2021 video by Long Island artist Christine Sciulli. The exhibition highlights new acquisitions and presents them with a selection of artwork which has anchored the collection for decades. Together, these new and beloved paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, and videos reveal the diverse ways in which artists contend with environmental, social, political, and cultural conflict and transformation.
Later in the spring, the Museum will host a monumental international exhibition George Grosz: The Stick Men, organized by Das Kleine Grosz Museum’s curator Pay Matthis Karstens, Ph.D., and co-curator, Alice Delage, Ph.D., along with The Heckscher Museum’s Chief Curator, Karli Wurzelbacher, Ph.D. George Grosz (b. Germany, 1893-1959) is widely recognized as one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. As visitors and members of the Heckscher are well aware, the Museum has a long history with Grosz and several of his works are included in the collection, including his masterpiece Eclipse of the Sun (1926). Grosz emigrated from Germany and eventually moved to Huntington. Here, Grosz pursued his most defiant collection of works, The Stick Men, which wrestles with deep issues related to the state of the world and humankind. Produced as a series from 1946 to 1956, The Stick Men was Grosz’s last major commitment to social and polit-
The works of art which will fill our galleries throughout 2024 present examples of the many ways art and artists engage in the world; utilize form and abstraction in relation to nature, identity, and belonging; wrestle with changing ecological climates and social conditions; and consider the role of the artist in times of transition, conflict, and social change. From George Grosz to Howardena Pindell and Jeremy Dennis, the resulting visual conversations span time, geography, and artistic genre to reveal The Heckscher Museum’s sustained commitment to collecting art that engages with the changing world outside its walls. Our mission is to create opportunities for everyone to experience art that broadens understanding of the past, fosters community connections to the present, and creates diverse possibilities for the future. We invite you to join us in this conversation, which can hopefully lead to increased understanding and healing in this world. With gratitude,
Cover art: Robert G. Carter, Mama Taught Me Piano and Much More, 2007, mixed media, Museum Purchase: Town of Huntington Art Acquisition Fund.
Exhibitions
THE RAINS ARE CHANGING FAST: NEW ACQUISITIONS IN CONTEXT OPENING MARCH 23
Composed of some 50 artworks created over a span of 175 years, The Rains are Changing Fast presents examples of how art engages with ecology, identity, and abstraction. Renowned landscape painters of the nineteenth century, George Inness and Thomas Moran, are represented alongside American modernists Georgia O’Keeffe, Josef Albers, and Helen Torr as well as contemporary artists including Judy Chicago, Odili Donald Odita, Courtney M. Leonard, Alison Saar, and Richard Mayhew. The resulting visual conversations span time, geography, and artistic genre to reveal the Museum’s sustained commitment to collecting art that engages with the changing world outside its walls. This exhibition is organized by Dr. Meredith A. Brown, Consulting Curator of Contemporary Art, and Dr. Karli Wurzelbacher, Chief Curator.
This page: Odili Donald Odita, Horizon, 2001, acrylic on canvas. Gift from the collection of Ninah and Michael Lynn. Next page, clockwise from top left: Deborah Buck, They Had Stars in their Eyes, 2020, acrylic, pastel, and ink on paper. Gift of the artist; Abigail Montes, Division Avenue High School, Tindahan sa Little Manila, Woodside, oil on canvas, Long Island’s Best 2023. Arthur G. Dove, Untitled, ca. 1940-1946, mixed media on paper, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth Texas, Gift of William C. Dove.
For over a century, The Heckscher Museum has built a remarkable collection of art that explores our ever-shifting physical and social environments. The Rains are Changing Fast takes its title from a 2021 video by Long Island artist Christine Sciulli that was recently acquired by the Museum.
The exhibition highlights new acquisitions displayed alongside relevant works from the collection that provide context. The resulting visual conversations emphasize the Museum’s ongoing commitment to social concerns, environmental issues and Long Island’s diverse communities.
Meredith A. Brown has joined The Heckscher Museum of Art as the Consulting Curator of Contemporary Art. She brings nearly two decades of experience in collection building, curatorial commissions, exhibition organization, educational programming, and art historical research to the role. Dr. Brown served as Director of Museum Affairs at Planting Fields Foundation and spent seven years as Senior Research Associate in the Department of Modern and Contemporary Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She earned her M.A. and Ph.D. from The Courtauld Institute of Art in London and B.A. in Art and Art History from Stanford University.
SALT LIFE: ARTHUR DOVE AND HELEN TORR Through March 10
LONG ISLAND’S BEST: YOUNG ARTISTS AT THE HECKSCHER MUSEUM Opening March 23
Long Island’s Best is in its 28th year as the most prestigious juried competition for Long Island high school students. Students took part in inspiring, immersive experiences with Museum educators that led them through in-depth study and discussion about works on view in the galleries. Each student selected a work of art as their inspiration piece and went on to create an original artwork. The students are required to write an artist’s statement explaining their creative process.
Modern artists Arthur Dove (1880–1946) and Helen Torr (1886–1967) created their most acclaimed works while living in Huntington in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Salt Life explores the inspiration they found in the natural environment, as well as their experimentation with form, materials, and techniques. This exhibition brings together art from the collections of The Heckscher Museum and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth, TX. Dr. Karli Wurzelbacher, Chief Curator at the Heckscher, organized the show in dialogue with Dr. Spencer Wigmore, Associate Curator at the Carter. Sponsored by The Deborah Buck Foundation, Richard T. Cunniff, Jr., Priscilla and Robert Hughes, and Nancy and Kostas Douzinas
In 2023, the Museum received 533 submissions from high school students, representing 77 schools across Suffolk and Nassau counties. Jurors for the 2024 Long Island’s Best student competition are The Heckscher Museum’s Consulting Curator of Contemporary Art, Meredith Brown, and documentary filmmaker, Andrea Wozny, 1999 Long Island’s Best alumnus and a 2023 Celebrate Achievement Benefit honoree.
ALSO ON VIEW
Raise the Roof: The Home in Art Through March 10 Sponsored by Robin T. Hadley
News
FULLY BOOKED “SUPER” DAY SPARKS TEACHER INNOVATION FOR THE CLASSROOM “I really enjoyed hearing about other artists' work and having studio time and activities to be creative and bring ideas back to my students." — LONG ISLAND ART TEACHER On November 7, Superintendent’s Conference Day, The Heckscher Museum hosted its annual teacher training workshop. Museum Educators welcomed 105 teachers from 20 school districts across Long Island. Working in tandem with Huntington Fine Arts, the teachers collaborated, created, and learned new ways to develop their students’ visual literary skills. Artists Melissa Misla and Emily Martin led hands-on workshops throughout the day.
Artist Melissa Misla (standing) leads teachers during a creative Super Day activity.
Teacher requests to enroll in the full-day workshop exceeded capacity. The Museum’s teacher training sessions are certified for professional credit by meeting the NYS Education Department’s Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) requirements.
CALL TO ARTISTS: LONG ISLAND BIENNIAL 2024 Application Period: March 1 to April 30
The Museum is pleased to present the 8th edition of the Long Island Biennial, the prestigious juried exhibition for contemporary artists in Suffolk and Nassau counties. The Biennial will be on view September 14, 2024 to January 19, 2025, in all four galleries. Artists are invited to apply with painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, and mixed media. For guidelines and application, visit Heckscher.org/biennial. Contact libiennial@Heckscher.org with any questions.
YOGA AND POETRY IN THE GALLERIES WITH JESSE CURRAN YOGA SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 10 - 11:30 am $15 Members; $25 Non-Members Register at Heckscher.org/yoga POETRY READING SUNDAY, MARCH 10 4 - 5 pm Free with admission Enjoy the uplifting experience of hatha yoga at the Museum. This all-levels class provides an occasion to align the breath and body with some of the shapes and rhythms that are animated by the work of Arthur Dove and Helen Torr. Bring your own mat and a blanket. In her poetry reading, Curran will share a selection of poems directly inspired by the creations of Arthur Dove and Helen Torr and their intimate engagement with the North Shore of Long Island. Jesse Curran, Ph.D., is a poet, essayist, and teacher who lives in Northport, NY. She is a faculty member in the Department of English at SUNY Old Westbury and is currently finishing a book of poetry and essays on Dove/ Torr and their visual poetics of place. She is a certified, experienced yoga instructor.
KIDS AND FAMILY
Programs
LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3 12 - 5 pm Free Celebrate and learn about Lunar New Year at this free family event for all ages! Get creative and enjoy a variety of hands-on holiday activities. Meet and create with artist Joan Kim Suzuki. Be inspired by beautiful traditional Chinese dances by Wendi Weng and join Patricia Shih from the Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force and learn about Chinese culture with the Mobile Museum of authentic (and some replicate) artifacts of history, art, culture, and more. Create origami with Hansen Lee from the Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force.
HANDS-ON WORKSHOP WITH PROTÉGÉ ART STUDIO FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 10 am - 12 pm $10 Members, $15 Non-Members Register online at heckscher.org/sketch
All levels welcome - no experience necessary. Bring your own sketchbook and pencil, or iPad if preferred. Enjoy a morning of exploring and drawing in the galleries with Protégé Art Studio! Begin with a guided tour of the exhibition Salt Life. Then, join artist Robyn Cooper, for an introduction to sketching and watercolor, inspired by the intimate modernist artworks on view. Robyn Cooper received her M.F.A. from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and has more than ten years of teaching experience.
HEARTS FOR ART
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Free with admission Spread the love with Hearts for Art this Valentine’s Day Weekend and in coordination with National Caretakers Day on Friday, February 16. Fall in love with a work of art and place a heart in front of your favorite work of art for all to see! Then post your pick on social media with #heartsforart. All visitors February 15 through 16 will receive a heart to decorate and place in the galleries.
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH SUNDAY, MARCH 3 12 – 5 pm Music by Flutissimo 2 - 3 pm Free
Celebrate the month with Docents in the galleries highlighting the artists on view such as Helen Torr, Stella Waitzkin, Courtney M. Leonard, and more. Listen to Flutissimo in the Museum as they play music composed by women. A special “Create your Own,” project will focus on women in the collection.
FOR MEMBERS & DONORS
MEMBERS & DONORS VIRTUAL PROGRAM WITH RACHEL MUSTALISH, PH.D., CONSERVATOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024 5:30 - 6:30 pm on Zoom Current Museum Members and Donors are invited to join us on Zoom as guest speaker Rachel Mustalish, Ph.D., provides a fascinating look into her expertise in the conservation of artworks on paper. She will speak about her original research on the work of American modernist Arthur Dove currently on view in Salt Life: Arthur Dove and Helen Torr. Mustalish is the Sherman Fairchild Conservator in Charge, Paper Conservation, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her work focuses on treatment, examination, and research of materials and techniques used by artists. She is a fellow of both the American and International Institute for Conservation. She received her B.A. in art history and environmental science from Wesleyan University, a M.A. in the history of art and a certificate of advanced study in conservation from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, and a Ph.D. from the Courtauld Institute, University of London. Please note: You must be a current Member or Donor of The Heckscher Museum or the The Dove Block Project, Geneva, to register for this event. Advance registration is required. The Zoom link and password for this free virtual event will be provided upon registration. Contact Caitlynn Schare at Schare@Heckscher.org or 631.380.3229 ext. 710 to register, check your membership status, or join/renew.
BILINGUAL FAMILY HOUR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11 10:30 - 11:30 am $10 per child Adults free Registration recommended. Space is limited. Learn more and register at heckscher.org/familyhour Enjoy The Heckscher Museum’s special dual language Family Hour Sunday in both Spanish and English. Children ages 5 through 10 are invited for a family-friendly art experience with Museum Educator Tami Wood and guest educator Karina Giménez. Explore works of art in the Museum and create fun art projects! Sponsors
SAVE THE DATE!
MEMBERS & DONORS RECEPTION FRIDAY, APRIL 5 5:30 - 7:30 pm Celebrating The Rains are Changing Fast: New Acquisitions in Context and Long Island’s Best.
Check out the latest details on events and exhibitions on Heckscher.org
SOUNDWALKS NOW AVAILABLE
6 AM TO 10 PM DAILY Free! Outdoors, please dress for weather. The Arthur Dove and Helen Torr Cottage 30 Centershore Road, Centerport Heckscher Park Prime Avenue, Huntington
HECKSCHER MUSEUM HOURS
PRIVATE GROUP TOURS
Thursday through Sunday 12 to 5 pm (Closed Monday through Wednesday)
Tours for groups now available. For scheduling and fees, register at Heckscher.org/visit/groups-tours/
DOCENTS IN THE GALLERIES
BOOK YOUR VISIT IN ADVANCE WALK-INS WELCOME
Docent volunteers are available in the Museum to answer visitor questions on select days. Please see Heckscher.org/calendar for details.
DIRECTIONS
LIE or Northern State Parkway to Route 110 North. Turn right onto Route 25A East, Main Street, in Huntington. Left onto Prime Avenue.
Go to Heckscher.org/reopening
GENEROUS SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE TOWN OF HUNTINGTON.
2 PRIME AVENUE HUNTINGTON, NY 11743 631.380.3230 HECKSCHER.ORG
These soundwalks can be downloaded through the free Bloomberg Connects app with the QR code on this page. More information on heckscher.org/free-digital-guide
VISIT HECKSCHER.ORG FOR EXHIBITION AND PROGRAM INFORMATION
@HECKSCHERMUSEUM
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Heckscher Museum’s acquisition of the Dove/Torr Cottage, two new soundwalks are now available at the cottage and at Heckscher Park. Listen to the story of Helen Torr and how the surroundings of the cottage inspired her. At Heckscher Park, learn about its history and the nature abundant in the park. Tactile information signs are placed at entrances at both locations with QR codes.