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Community Programs & Events

COVID19 Essential Workers & Frontline Heroes Programs

Saying "Thank You" with Art & Music

Although many people's working lives came to a halt at the height of the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, a courageous group had to remain at their posts in order to serve the public. East End Arts students and artists wanted to honor these workers, and so two programs were born to show appreciation and help spread sunshine during these dark times.

The Essential Workers Program was a collaboration between East End Arts music students and Peconic Ballet Theater dance students to create a unique video performance to share with essential workers everywhere. Virtually, students picked songs and rehearsed together to create duets of singers and dancers. They included special messages throughout the final production to further express their gratitude.

The Frontline Heroes Program was initiated to bring much needed relief to frontline medical workers. The program paired a front-line pandemic worker with an East End Arts Member Artist. The artist created an intimate piece of artwork from a photograph provided- a portrait of themself, a portrait with others, a loved one, a pet, or a personal happy place- that brought them joy. The artist then worked in their chosen medium and genre. The artwork hung gallery style in the hospital or nursing home where the frontline worker was stationed. After the exhibition period was over, each front-line hero received their piece as a gift of thanks and honor. Thirty two artists participated, creating 61 pieces.


See the Impact



Personal Portraits

Happy Place Artwork


East End Arts would like to extend a huge thank you to all of the artists that participated in the creation of this program! 

Marlene Bezich of Middle Island
Ginny Blank of Southold
Dale Boker of Port Jefferson Station
Ann Carlile of Wading River
Kat Dwyer of Shelter Island
Janet Fink of Riverhead
Gary Long of Cutchogue
Steven Ness of Aquebogue
Mary O'Connor of Bayport
Laura Stroh of Jamesport

 


Artists that have participated in the Heroes Program

Marlene Bezich of Middle Island
Ginny Blank of Southold
Dale Boker of Port Jefferson Station
Sheila Breck of Port Jefferson
Ann Carlile of Wading River
Lisa Conk of North Babylon
Sage Cotignola of Brooklyn
Cheryl Daters of Riverhead
Daniel Donato of Ronkonkoma
Kat Dwyer of Shelter Island
Janet Fink of Riverhead
Kenneth Jackson of Freeport
Melissa Johnides
Anna Jurinich of Wading River
Patricia Kelly-Derenze of Jamesport
Sarah Lambert of Centereach
Mary Lawrence Roberts of Brookhaven Hamlet
Gary Long of Cutchogue
Christine MacDonagh of Bluepoint
Marla Milne of Greenport
Wanda Nardolillo
Steven Ness of Aquebogue
Mary O'Connor of Bayport
Deborah Paparelli of Patchogue
Laura Ricca of Shoreham
Lorraine Rimmelin of Mastic Beach
Elizabeth Schaeffler of Southold
Gia Schifano of Southampton
Lindsey Sherman of Rocky Point
Angela Stratton
Laura Stroh of Jamesport
Barbara Stype of Southold


Displays of the artworks are hung in the lobby of the Peconic Bay Medical Center as shown below.


Displays of the artworks are hung at Peconic Landing, shown below.


Displays of the artwork completed for Eastern Long Island Hospital.

“Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness.” ~ Anni Albers

© 2022 East End Arts

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