A Vision for a Gallery at The Village Artist in Huntington

Lori Hochberg

Not so new to Huntington’s thriving art scene, The Village Artist Fine Arts Center has been at 425 New York Avenue for over 10 years. What began as a small, home-based art school in mom and dad’s basement in 1993 has expanded to a 2,500 square foot space right in Huntington Village in 1995. The Center offers art classes, art parties and workshops for the kids, a summer camp program, and a custom framing and art supply center. But the latest addition to the Center is an art gallery. According to local artist Lori Hochberg, founder and director of The Village Artist Fine Arts Center, the first exhibit at the gallery will be in mid-November and will feature approximately six different artists–a mix of well-known and newer artists–and varied subject matter, including oils, pastels, and photography.

Gallery at Village Artist

“The art gallery feels like the natural progression of what we have built at The Village Artist Fine Arts Center,” continues Hochberg. “The most important ideal during our growth has been to make art accessible to everyone. We never wanted our students to feel intimidated–that’s not what art is about.  Art is something unique to everyone, and we wanted to create an environment that would allow our students to find out what art means to them. Our gallery will continue that theme because the art we exhibit will run the gamut from fine art originals to decorative prints. We’re going to carry drawings, paintings, prints, giclee, photography, and collage. Everyone should be able to walk into the gallery and find something to enhance his or her home.”

Studio at Village Artist

The Center offers a varied menu of art classes–in drawing, painting, sculpture, cartooning and portfolio prep–for all ages and from beginner to advanced levels. There are weekly classes, one-day workshops, and children’s birthday parties. Children’s workshops are held on Friday and Saturday nights, and school vacation days, and run from 6:30 to 9:00pm, for ages 6 to teenagers, and include all supplies, pizza, beverage, and dessert.  There are even restaurant discounts available—at restaurants such as Red, Jonathan’s, and Osteria Da Nino–if you want to go out to dinner while your children are in a workshop.

Lori in front of village Artist

With the opening of the gallery another part of Hochberg’s long-term vision has been realized. “We just had to wait for the timing to be right,” says Hochberg. “Our first priority was getting the school established. Next, we developed the summer camp and the custom framing and art supply center. Each different venture needed the time and attention to succeed. With their success, we are now able to concentrate on launching the art gallery.”

The greatest challenge of this new venture will be to find the right artwork for its customers, notes Hochberg. “Understanding what people want, their budget, and where to get the work will take research.  Our goal is to have something for everyone–a variety of work at affordable prices.”

As a school, frame shop, art supply store, and now gallery, what does The Village Artist hope to contribute to the Huntington arts community? “I’d love to play even a small part in spreading an enthusiasm for art to everyone who walks into our Center,” states Hochberg.  “Huntington has given so much to The Village Artist, and the best way to repay that is to share our love for the arts with the community. There is such positive energy in our Center and opening the art gallery will encourage people to come in and share that energy, even if only to browse. They don’t have to take a class or have something framed; they can just come in and appreciate the beauty of art.”

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