With Public Arts Presentations/Installations Debuting on August 7, 2015 in Downtown Riverhead
(Long Island, NY) East End Arts is pleased to announce the participants in their professional development program for artists of all disciplines, titled JumpstART. This program provides the opportunity for artists to get a jumpstart on their artistic careers by learning about the fundamentals involved to best grow their business – their art! Participating artists learn from artists who have succeeded in making a living with their art. This program also offers the amazing opportunity for artists’ work to get high visibility through public presentation. In addition to a number of workshops, allparticipating artists have the unprecedented opportunity to design and implement a public art project in downtown Riverhead, unveiling Friday, August 7, 2015. A second 2015 JumpstART event will take place in East Hampton in November with several of this year’s JumpstART artists. This program is for all visual and performing artists, of any discipline, and participants were selected through an application process.
East End Arts’ Executive Director Patricia Drake Snyder is pleased with the progress of JumpstART. “It has been a wonderful experience to witness again the professional growth of the artists as well as the see the community so engaged in the process. This year’s JumpstART program has expanded by welcoming back last year’s artists as mentors to the new class. JumpstART is setting the stage for the expansion of artistic opportunities for the East End of Long Island through creative placemaking, using the arts to engage community.”
Of the 33 applications received, only 16 artists were chosen to participate. The 2015 group of JumpstART artists is a diverse group when referring to artistic mediums, concepts for their public arts projects; some of the participants are just starting to explore their art while others are accomplished. Program participants include:
- Maggie Bloomfield of Westhampton Beach, NY, poetry and writing
- Monica Chulewicz of Seaford, NY, collage and printmaking
- José Coropuna of Laurel, NY, classical singing
- Anne Drager of Montauk, NY, visual arts
- Barbara Jones of Greenlawn, NY, abstract painting
- Drew Kane of Huntington Station, NY, painting
- Susan Levy of Quogue, NY, video producing
- Cara Lynch of Lindenhurst, NY, installation, printmaking and painting
- Andrea Manning of Babylon, NY, painting and sculpture
- Samantha Neukirch of Smithtown, NY, drawing and illustration
- Sarah Prescott of Orient, NY, photography
- Linda Purrazzella of Southampton, NY, mosaics
- Becca Seibert of Babylon, NY, theatre
- Frank Sofo of East Hampton, NY, painting and illustration
- Courtney Surmanek of Centereach, NY, interdisciplinary: performance and installation
- Stephanie Walsh of Medford, NY, painting
Photos from last year’s JumpstART public arts unveiling event can be viewed on East End Arts Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.818370978213500.1073741863.524631970920737&type=3.
East End Arts developed this intensive curriculum dedicated to the business side of art. It is East End Arts’ belief that with the necessary tools, an artist is better able to take advantage of creative opportunities that arise and be more likely to be aware of opportunities that exist. The program began with an orientation on March 15, 2015 and has continued with a series of intensive workshops led by industry professionals throughout March, April and May; a mentorship component with program alumni; and will culminate with a public art project in Downtown Riverhead on Friday, August 7, 2015. A second 2015 JumpstART event will take place in East Hampton in November with several of this year’s JumpstART artists. For more information on this program, visit http://www.eastendarts.org/programs/jumpstart.html.
East End Arts’ JumpstART Program is made possible with funds from the Long Island Community Foundation and All for the East End (AFTEE).
For more information, contact Pat Snyder at 631-727-0900 or psnyder@eastendarts.org.
East End Arts, established in 1972, is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts organization, and operates a School of the Arts, an Art Gallery, and presents a variety of events and programs to promote the arts year-round. Proceeds from all events, sales, classes, donations, and memberships benefit the mission and commitment to building and enriching our community through the arts by way of education, support, advocacy, and inspiration.
