Art Shows At Fire Island Lighthouse and Patchogue Ferry Terminal Open this Week

News Release Date: June 25, 2013

Contact: Paula Valentine, 631-687-4759

Patchogue, New York -- Two of Fire Island National Seashore's park partners have unveiled this year's gallery of fine art and photography. All work exhibited at both the Fire Island Lighthouse and the Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry Terminal is available for sale as an approved fundraiser for official park partners.

The Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (FILPS), which operates the Fire Island Lighthouse under a cooperating agreement with the National Park Service, is hosting its 12th Annual Fire Island Lighthouse Art Show on June 28 - July 19, 2013, with its opening reception on Thursday, June 27, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. This nautical-themed exhibition is set up throughout the Keepers Quarters Museum inside the Lighthouse, which is open from 9:30 am – 5:30 pm daily this summer. Getting to the Fire Island Lighthouse is a little challenging this year, since Hurricane Sandy destroyed the boardwalks. Parking is available at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 (fee charged), but plan for a ¾-mile stroll down the beach to reach the Lighthouse. "During the opening reception," said Dave Griese, site administrator of FILPS, "we will provide a free shuttle bus to get people to the Lighthouse from Field 5."

According to Linda Nuccio, coordinator for the Lighthouse art shows, "We have 130 paintings by 73 artists, and this is the first year we are judging the work, with awards for photography and for painting." Well-known professional artist Antonio Masi is this year's judge. All entrants are Long Island artists, who are donating 30% of the proceeds to the FILPS. Select from framed photographs and original artwork in acrylic, pastels, oils, and mixed media, in a wide variety of sizes and prices.

The Friends of Fire Island National Seashore (FFINS) and Nature and Wildlife Photographers of Long Island (NWPLI) have teamed up again to feature images with a Fire Island or South Shore Long Island theme. This year's "Essence of Fire Island" exhibition runs from June 29 to August 10, 2013, following an opening reception on Wednesday, June 26, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry Terminal. There are 120 framed photographs on display, in a variety of sizes and prices. Smaller prints and postcards are also a part of the show this year, providing a more portable means of supporting park partners. "We rely on fundraisers like this to help us support park programs," said FFINS President Dave Hensen, "like the annual orientation tour for volunteers and partners." The exhibition will be open for viewing on weekends, noon to 5:00 p.m., inside the ferry terminal multipurpose room, and is free to the public. The Patchogue-Watch Hill Ferry terminal is located about two blocks from the LIRR Patchogue Station, and free parking is available on-site at 150 West Avenue in Patchogue.

Fire Island National Seashore's Annual Wildlife Photo Contest is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Wildernes Act in 1964, the Wilderness 50th Nationwide Photography Competition requires that images be taken in a federally designated wilderness area, like the Seashore's Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. "Wilderness Forever" entries are accepted May 6 - September 3, 2013.