Walking Arts Tour Kicks Off in Blue Point

The Patchogue Arts Council held an evening of festivities at the Center for Visual Arts in Blue Point on Saturday to celebrate the start of its third annual Walking Arts Tour.

The Walking Arts Tour features the work of artists from around the country and around the corner. Paintings, sculptures, photographs and installation art pieces are displayed in space donated by local businesses and kept up for two months.

"It's fantastic for the businesses," said Beth Giacummo, vice president of the PAC and tour co-chair. "Everyone likes to support people who support art, and it's a big commitment on their part."

Artists and enthusiasts gathered Saturday for a night of free food and drinks, as well as preview screenings of films that will be featured at the PAC's annual Patchogue Arts Festival Oct. 24.

"Every year the arts tour gets bigger," said Giacummo.

This year, the event has spread to Bayport, Blue Point and Sayville for the first time and Giacummo said she hopes to expand it even further in the years ahead. The arts council recently received a$3,000 grant from Suffolk County which helped to facilitate the growth.

It took approximately four days of "non-stop hanging" by volunteers to set up the tour, Giacummo said, adding the displays are now in place and residents can find a map of artwork locations at www.pacwat.com.

That website will also post Podcasts, a new tour feature this year, which are audio recordings that include descriptions of the artwork, artist biographies and quotes that can be downloaded onto a digital music player and listened to while taking the tour.

Patchogue resident Carole Amodeo, who has two photographs on display in the tour, praised the PAC at the kick-off party for allowing her to more easily connect with other artists. "I'm so grateful for all their hard work," she added.

Sharon Henson, a local resident with three photographs in the tour, credited her daughter, Dawn Wakiya, who also has two paintings on display, with getting her back into the art scene. "It really brings the community together," Henson said of the Walking Arts Tour.

Patchogue Village Board Trustee Lori Devlin, who is also a founding co-president of the PAC, is showing off her artistic side with two photographs on the tour. "I think it's been great for the community, great for the artists and great for the businesses," she said.

Jessica McAvoy, co-chair of the arts tour,  said the community feel of Patchogue, its performing arts theatre, inspiring waterfront scenery and train station for easy city commuting make the village a prime area for art enthusiasts.

Giacummo said she's thankful for those who sponsor the nonprofit PAC's Walking Arts Tour and other events. "We couldn't do it without them," she added.

All artwork on the tour is for sale, and interested buyers can contact the PAC at its website,www.patchoguearts.org, for prices or more information.