The creations of painter Corinne Baptiste are on display this month in the Long Island Arts Council at Freeport’s Art Alcove located in the Freeport Recreation Center. This is her first ever solo exhibition.
Corinne, a Baldwin resident, primarily makes her art through oil painting, watercolor and colored pencils. Many of her work are recreations of the people and moments closest to her, including her family and quiet scenes.
“I’ve pretty much always been a creative kid,” Corinne said. “I was always painting and drawing throughout high school, and then my art teacher in high school kind of opened my eyes to the career path of graphic design.”
Painting and drawing were Corinne’s first creative passions. She attended Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and graduated from its art and design program in 2011, leading her to a career of graphic design. She moved away from doing as much physical work in favor of the publishing, marketing campaigns, photo shoots and art direction tasks she did professionally.
Corinne credits her Sacred Heart education and community for helping to shape her artistically and creatively. While enjoying her professional work, however, she has also been intentional about making space for her personal projects.
After marrying Brandon Baptiste, a fellow Sacred Heart alumnus, and becoming a mother of two young children, she began freelancing to make room for her growing family. During the early stages of her motherhood, Corinne was able to make more space for painting. She describes her return to painting as a source of rediscovery for herself and that coming back to the medium was “like muscle memory.”
“I really needed something that belonged to me,” Baptiste said in a Sacred Heart article. “I think as a mother, you give a lot of yourself to your family, and I wanted to find some time to carve out for my own passions and let that fuel me as well to being a happier and healthier person.”
Corinne’s teacher in a Town of Hempstead art class, Ralph Capozzi, nominated her for her first solo exhibition. When asked how she hopes to grow her art prowess, Corinne said that she was still figuring that out for herself, but said she is interested in doing commissioned work.
Prior to her solo exhibit in the Art Alcove, Corinne received an Award of Excellence for her painting “Joy,” which depicts her and Brandon, as well as an Award of Merit for another painting, “Neighborhood Watch,” at The Village Art Club 2026 Summer Exhibition.
The exhibit will remain open to the public through Oct. 31.
