Environmental Art Contest For Water Wise Land Use

Friday, 27 April 2012 00:00

Anton, Fluhr, Gulotta invited as guest judges

Art entries are being sought for a first annual Art Contest and Wine for Water Wise Land Use Party on June 14 at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. The contest and party is being hosted by Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) as part of the celebration of their 35th year working to protect and improve local natural resources.

Board member Jaime Van Dyke Doran said, “The art contest and party is an innovative way to raise a little money and bring a ton of focus to local environmental activities. The money raised will help us build sustainable gardens and support educational programs. Artists from all parts of the county have been entering their work from photographs of local landscapes to paintings of local wildlife.”

Prizes will be given in five categories: photography, woodworking, artwork/sculpture, pottery, and decorated pottery with a plant. Art submissions are due by June 1, and must reflect the natural environment. The submissions will be voted on by guest judges, publisher Angela Susan Anton, who also sits on the board of trustees for Nassau County Museum of Art; Betsy Gulotta of the Friends of Hempstead Plains and professor at Nassau Community College; and renowned portrait artist Nanette Fluhr of the Teaching Studios of Art in Oyster Bay and Art League of Long Island.

Anton said, “I am honored to be invited to participate as a judge in the organization’s first-ever art show. Its mission deserves recognition.”  

The art will be judged at the Wine for Water Wise Land Use Party and will also be a part of a silent auction and the artists will be invited to the June 14 party. The party will feature Long Island wine and the jazzy sounds of Pearl Street, a North Shore area band.

Nassau County SWCD District Manager Brian Zimmerman said, “The art is being generously donated by artists who are looking to promote their business or talented hobbyists who just care about the environment and want to support the important work that the district does.”

Van Dyke Doran added, “The district works closely with so many influential people at nonprofits, businesses, and governmental agencies. We chose art as a different type of media to bring focus to all the work being done for the environment. Art has a way of helping cut through the noise and bring together people from all walks of life and different beliefs. It is a fantastic tool for environmental matters. A lot of art created reflects nature and can make people pause and reflect on what is important.”

Several Long Island wineries, including Waters Crest Winery whose owners are from the North Shore area of Nassau County, have joined the list of collaborating partners that will be offering food and beverages at the event. Whole Foods of Jericho, Rothmann’s Steakhouse of East Norwich and T.R.I. Us Catering of Westbury will also be offering a selection of finger foods and desserts at the party. T.R.I. Us Catering is a premiere partner that helps put people who are physically challenged to work and gives them vocational and life skills training.

Other sponsors include Sorenson Lumber of Glen Cove, Dee’s Nursery of Oceanside, Coach Grill & Tavern of Oyster Bay, Blick Art Materials of Carle Place, Berger Brothers Camera of Syosset, Martin Viette of East Norwich, Van Dyke Building & Construction Management of Oyster Bay, and Donna Martini who is a Nassau County Planning Commissioner and wellness advocate.

Tickets to just join the fun at the Water Wise Land Use Party are $25 if purchased in advance; tickets purchased after June 1 will be $35. They can be purchased on the district website www.nassauSWCD.org. All attendees will be entered into a door prize drawing for a special gift.

More information about the district’s programs and the Art Contest & Water Wise Land Use party on June 14 is available online at www.nassauSWCD.org, by emailing ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or by calling (516) 677-5853.

 -Christy Hinko contributed to this submission by Nassau County SWCD