Call for Oakdale artwork

Celebrating all the classic beauty of Oakdale, an art show titled “Seasons of Oakdale” will be held by the Oakdale Historical Society on Saturday, Aug. 28 in conjunction with the Islip Arts Council.

An initial call for artwork went out in July, but has been extended to Aug. 6.

Originally planned before the pandemic through the IAC’s grant from the Robert D.L. Gardiner Foundation, the show was revived after restrictions were lifted on gatherings.

The host of the show is St. John’s Church in Oakdale, which is the second-oldest church in Suffolk County and contains original glass windows from the 18th century at its side.

This actually proved to be an obstacle, as the show was planned to be held indoors with artwork hung from the church’s upper deck.

With the windows in a fragile state, they could not be opened, and the church would be stifling for eventgoers.

The decision was made to have the show in the open lawn of the church, where live music would be played by the celebrated Cante Libre in the gazebo.

The unique orchestra utilizes centuries-old instruments in their performances, which lend an extra historical touch to the affair.

“We had a calendar last year of Charles Ellis’s artwork, black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings, that was very popular, and we were hoping to do another calendar with the artwork submitted for ‘Seasons of Oakdale,’ ” said Oakdale Historical Society president Maryann Almes.

Pedestals, easels, and display stands will be provided by OHS.

Artwork of all media, including photography, should focus on historical places in Oakdale. Some suggestions include: Connetquot River, Byron Lake, Second Pond Windmill (now lost), Bourne Indian Neck Estate, St. John’s Historical Church/Cemetery, Railroad Station, Premm School, Vanderbilt Idle Hour Estate, Vanderbilt Well, Artist Colony, former Vanderbilt Farm Homestead Road, former Pepperidge Hall Farm, Grand Canal/bridges, Snug Harbor, Wharf Consuelo’s Tea House, or a view of Oakdale.

To submit artwork via email, please send to IACT.isliparts@gmail.com

• Email subject line must read: OPENCALL_Oakdale_ Last Name_First Name
• Artists may submit up to three works in jpg format up to 1700 pixels, 200ppi. Each file must be labeled with your name and title of work. Ex: Lastname_ FirstName_titleofwork.jpg

Submission fee for members of the IAC is $25, for non-members it is $35 and can be submitted at https://isliparts.org/entryforms.html.