The Art League of Long Island will soon reopen prime space, after extensive work to restore its gallery and classrooms that were damaged by flooding in September.
The members exhibition opens Feb.10, the inaugural exhibit in the newly reconstructed Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery. Classes will resume on Feb. 6, in freshly repaired, cleaned, and painted studios, with a grand reopening open house scheduled for March 23.
Heavy rains on Sept. 29 damaged studios, hallways gallery and offices. That forced major reconstruction work, including renovations to both the building and
grounds. Critical infrastructure improvements, such as the installation of six catch basins, a new concrete walkway, updated foundation curbing, a water dam, and additional drywells followed. Essential repairs were made o the parking lot and internal spaces, encompassing sheetrock and drywall patching, improved insulation, repainting of the Jeanie Tengelsen and Strolling Galleries, installation of new flooring, and studio enhancements for improved lighting and storage.
The renovations cost about $500,000.
Despite facing challenges, the Art League continued to operate. Temporary
accommodations were arranged for classes and exhibitions through the “On The Move” campaign, hosted by partners such as Spirit of Huntington, Nassau Community College’s Art Department, Nassau County Museum of Art, and the Half Hollow Hills and Northport School Districts. Classes in ceramics, watercolor, pastels, jewelry, collage, and painting, and Teen and Young Artist programs found satellite homes. They also partnered with Empire Mazda of Huntington, to host an onsite Instructor’s Exhibition that opened this weekend.
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