Fog and rain did not dampen the spirits of the lively opening at Studio 5404 with its new and colorful show “Repeat After Me,” which runs through April 18.
“This show is about patterning, narrative, series and reflection,” said artist and owner Lori Horowitz. “We have 12 artists, all very talented from the Tri-State area and we have a lot of very different and strong art work. It is a very attractive show.”
The studio, which has been around for two years this June, is growing strong. Horowitz, who was recently named the Town of Oyster Bay Woman of Distinction and the Nassau County Woman of Distinction for her talent and artistic contributions to Long Island, said that she has a large following and that the studio is being sought out by artists from all over. An artist herself, Horowitz displayed her own unusual pieces for the collection.
“I am into a new series called ‘Burned Into Memory,’ and it deals with aging, dementia, loss of self and the transient qualities that we encounter as we age,” said Horowitz, who has a personal connection to the topic, as she lost her father to Alzheimer’s disease. “I play off the idea of using shadows and burnt copper in a way that hasn’t been done before; using it as a way to paint portraits. The heat dictates the form.”
The show is bright and colorful and features wonderful works of art. Showing for the second time at the studio is Old Bethpage resident Lisa Petker-Mintz, whose work is always very colorful and fun.
“This painting is called ‘Beneath the Clouds’ and it is about what happens after a long hard winter when spring first comes, those first days when the joy of the sun comes out,” said Petker-Mintz, whose other piece was based on the wallpaper she recalls in her mother’s house growing up in the 1970s. “This is based on brocade and paisley. My mother is losing her mental and physical facilities so rather than doing a death bed series, I chose to do a time in her life that would celebrate her life. When we had the wallpaper in the house, I remember that was a time when she was happy and I just wanted to capture that on canvas.”
Another Old Bethpage resident, John Ortenberg, the owner of Musicology Performance Center, came to the studio with a team of very talented musicians who wowed the crowd with their performance. The six players were high school students from all over Long Island, who had an amazing range of jazz performances, getting a lot of the folks present up and dancing among the art.
“These are some of our best kids; they are in our jazz ensemble but we have a couple different ensembles, jazz, rock. These are the best of the best, ages 13 to 16,” said Ortenberg. “These kids love music and they take the time to really master the craft. They are fantastic musicians.”
The school, located in Smithtown, opened in September. Ortenberg said that what makes his school different than any other is that he focuses on elevating musical education and giving kids a chance to perform.
“We are a performance based school and the kids learn how to interact with each other and learn how to perform, read the audience and read the space,” he said. “You can see the results. They really are incredible.”
The art work in the show is exceptional, from the wonderful paintings, photographs and wood carvings, one will leave the studio with an uplifting feeling and appreciation for creativity; truly a balm for the soul after this long, hard winter.
Horowitz has once again pulled off another exciting show, bringing art and culture to the South Shore.
