Getting artsy in Long Beach

People strolled along Kennedy Plaza on Sunday, June 27, as they perused the works of art on display during the weekly Art in the Plaza festival. The event has been dubbed "Long Island's newest art colony" by organizers, and, each Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. between May and November, local artists set up tents to exhibit and sell their art work.

The event began as an idea that Ron Emanule, a painter and clothing designer — and member of West End Arts — had last year. Three local non-profit arts organizations approached the city about hosting the event, and members said officials embraced the idea of offering a free outdoor arts event to the public featuring music, dance and art on display that ranges from paintings, drawings, prints, digital art, broom-crafting, flute-making, wood turning, pottery, hand painted clothing, jewelry crafts, and more.

Kathleen Regan, president of the West End Arts Guild, as well as Betty Barto, president of Long Beach Art League and Johanna Mathieson, president of Artists In Partnership, praised City Manager Charles Theofan and the Long Beach City Council for supporting the initiative.

“Our hats are off to the foresight of Mr. Theofan and the Long Beach City Council for the start of what will become the event to visit every Sunday,” Regan said.  

“The plaza was humming with visual art and craft exhibits, as well as live music,” said Joanne “J-Bird” Phillips , music coordinator for Art in the Plaza.

The plaza arts event also featured musical performances during the 2nd Annual Barrier Beach Blues Festival. It featured a cast of seasoned blues musicians and singers. The festival was created by Mathieson, of Artists in Partnership, and is just one of the events that take place each Sunday.

Scott Evers, vice-president of West End Arts, created a Facebook page to promote the event, and started the online magazine called Long Beach Arts. For location and more information, visit Facebook and http://artintheplaza.weebly.com/