The Firefly Artists fly to Freeport

The Firefly Artists, a 12-year-old gallery in Northport, is showcasing local artists with the Long Island Arts Council throughout February in Freeport. 

The artists’ work will be on display at the Freeport Recreation Center, on Merrick Road, for the rest of the month, and the temporary gallery will be open for the same hours as the center.

The exhibit, which started with five artists 12 years ago in a sublet corner of a local gallery, has grown into its own space. It features about 45 local artists with a focus on creating an artists’ community while providing a great experience for those who appreciate their work. 

The gallery’s founders, Kate Sydney, an emerging jewelry crafter, and Kathy Nichols, an established mixed media artist, came up with the idea for a place where artists could create a gallery.

“​​They started to daydream about a place where the established and the emerging artists and the artisan could come together and create a gallery together,” Managing partner of the exhibit, Katheryn Laible said. “That’s how it manifested on Valentine’s Day in 2011, that’s the day they signed their first lease.”

What makes the Firefly exhibit unique is its robust community of local artists from throughout Long Island. The Firefly Artist’s exhibit is considered down-to-earth and community-oriented while celebrating artists not just for their work, but everything they do out in the world.

Visitors to the Freeport showcase have the opportunity to experience the unique talent and creativity of the artists represented by the Firefly Artists gallery. With a range of styles and mediums, there is plenty to see at the exhibit. Visitors have the chance to purchase these one-of-a-kind pieces and have the opportunity to meet and interact with the artists, gaining a deeper appreciation for their work.

“We’re thrilled to have the Firefly Artists present their works with us,” executive director of the Long Island’s Art Council, Larry Dresner said. “These artists demonstrate a wide variety of talent and styles of artwork and different artistic periods.”

Featured artist John Lazarro, a photographer based in Huntington, joined the Firefly Gallery in the spring of 2019 and has been showcasing his “urban exploration photography” ever since.

Lazarro’s photography focuses on capturing abandoned buildings in various states of decay. His current work in the exhibit, titled “Elmira Building” depicts a decrepit red building in Elmira, New York.

Lazarro’s passion for urban exploration photography led him to explore abandoned buildings and ruins around the world. He finds these subjects to be fascinating because they offer a glimpse into the past and reveal the stories behind the structures. He believes that through his photographs, he can bring attention to these forgotten places and highlight their beauty, despite their state of disrepair.

“Being a member of the Firefly gallery has been a wonderful experience for me as it has been a great opportunity to showcase my work with many talented artists,” Lazarro said. “There is a lot of interest in the gallery from the community.”

Lazarro’s photography is characterized by his attention to detail and his ability to capture the essence of each location he visits. He spends hours exploring each site, carefully composing each shot to capture the textures.

In addition to preserving the unique historical value of these abandoned buildings, Lazarro’s work is meant to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the built heritage of communities. Through his photos, he hopes to inspire people to think about the impact that actions today will have on future generations, and to encourage others to appreciate the beauty and value of these forgotten places.

The gallery’s mission is an important thread in the cultural and creative fabric of the region, making it a unique masterpiece in the Long Island art scene.

“​​We just have this beautiful space in Northport, and we try to use it any way we can think of to highlight local artists and how blessed we are on Long Island to have the incredible talent that we do,” Laible said.