“Art is literacy of the heart.”- Elliot Eisner
The Village of Patchogue is booming. Stroll down Main Street any given Friday and it is abundantly clear. Walk into the Tap Room, the BrickHouse Brewery or the Village Idiot and live local music fills your being. Thirty five miles east of Williamsburg, Brooklyn another artist outpost has been developed, but this one has a Native American name- Patchogue. Patchogue is the convergence of culture.
Patchogue is the convergence of culture.
Saturday afternoon the Art Space hosted a celebration. Of Colors hosted a exhibition named “Fierce.” The flowers were perfect, (thank you Rafael) the art was displayed flawlessly, (thank you Tracy) the food was amazing, (thank you Taiko 360) the music was fun (thank you Grooveline Entertainers). Of colors recognized five deserving members of the Long Island community. This party was about to start
Honoree Miguel Baez with family
The first person to be honored was Ex Marine (1992-1996) Miguel Baez. Baez is a local business owner who owns the Village Cigar Headquarters in both Patchogue and Babylon Village. He is being honored for his spirit of charity. Baez is a supporter of charities Project 9Line, Boots to the Ground, Wounded Warrior Project, Toys for Tots as well as several other ones. Miguel is an asset to his community- both Babylon and Patchogue.
“My job is to help these soldiers assimilate to civilian life, any way I can.”- Miguel Baez.
Also honored was Dr Gail Schaffer. Dr Schaffer has devoted her life to helping immigrants assimilate in our melting pot called America. She started ESL classes, and went to bat for immigrants to become naturalized. She has been a positive influence to thousands of families. It was touching to see two of her students standing there sobbing as she humbly accepted some recognition for her work. The true testament to her character are these students, the lives she touched. The award is simply a way for us to formally thank her for making the world a better place.
Dr Schaffer with two of her students.
Of Colors honored renowned painter/ illustrator Alvaro. Bronx native Alvaro had a fascination with classic American pop culture. Inspired by the images of iconic leading ladies Greta Garbo, Harlow, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marilyn Monroe, Alvaro spent years hand drawing these giants.
Left Miguel Baez, Center Alvaro, Right Curator Tracy Todd Hunter
Alvaro is the protégé of legendary fashion illustrator Antonio Lopez. Lopez passed in 1987 from a big disease with a little name, but his work lives on thru Alvaro. Alvaro’s works can be found hanging the private collections of people like Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell and Iman to name a few. His work has been displayed by Calvin Klein, Armani, DuPont, as well as others. Make no mistake, Alvaro is well deserved.
Events like this are special. They bring people together. Art can feed the soul. Check out Art Space at 20 Terry St, Patchogue.
