Huntington, NY - January 30, 2014 - You're invited to join award-winning artist Dan Christoffel at the opening reception of his solo exhibit "Pieces of Yesterday" celebrating Black History Month's theme Civil Rights in America, the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. These paintings and drawings, from the 1960s to the present, chronicle individuals who were and continue to be milestones in the battle for Civil Rights. The reception will be this Friday, January 31, 2014 from 6-8pm at the Huntington Arts Council's Main Street Petite Gallery, located at 213 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743.
The artist, Dan Christoffel was present at the 1963 March on Washington and also, during the '60s, a member of the 369th National Guard in Harlem. The intimate experiences of both the March and his participation in the National Guard in Harlem, where many of his fellow Guardsmen were veterans from WWII and Korea, profoundly influenced him to study and paint African American History. The works of art in this exhibition are a result of the artist's involvement and commitment. Mr. Christoffel dedicates this show to the memory of his friend and fellow National Guardsmen, Jim Parks.
Dan Christoffel's love and passion for history continues as an ongoing theme in his work. "Christoffel has become one of Long Island's most recognized historical artists and manages to combine both his passion for history and his talent as a representational painter. His paintings are historical stories, not just portraits. They represent our country at times of change and promise." Newsday - 2010
"Pieces of Yesterday" will be on display from January 31st through February 28th, with the opening reception on Friday, January 31st, from 6-8pm. Mr. Christoffel will be in attendance and happy to meet attendees and answer questions. For additional information about the exhibit and other Huntington Arts Council events, please visit www.huntingtonarts.org or contact the HAC at 631-271-8423 x10.
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Now celebrating our 50th Anniversary, the Huntington Arts Council is a not-for-profit organization which enriches the quality of life of Long Islanders with programs and services that address the needs and interests of artists, cultural organizations and the community. The Council’s programs reach over one million Long Island residents, and it serves the entire region with its cultural listings at www.huntingtonarts.org.The Huntington Arts Council has been designated a "Primary Institution" by the New York State Council on the Arts, a title meaning "vital to the cultural life of New York State.” The Council is the official arts coordinating agency for the Town of Huntington, and serves as the primary regranting agency on Long Island for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), in addition to its services to over 600 member cultural organizations and individual artist members. Programs are made possible in part by funding from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Town of Huntington, the Suffolk County Department of Cultural Affairs, the County of Suffolk, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, corporations, foundations and individuals.
