Arts & Entertainment

Less Is More at National Art League's February Show

Gallery Displays Its Members' Work at Small Works Exhibit

The National Art League’s latest exhibit may involve thinking small, but the number of pieces on display in the show make for one of the gallery’s largest annual undertakings.

The league, located at 44-21 Douglaston Parkway, is kicking off its small works exhibit tomorrow. The show, which will include as many as 90 pieces from the league’s members, will run through Feb. 26.

“We bring in work that’s done in oil, watercolor, pastel, sculptures and collage work,” said Marie Marsina, the league’s president. “The exhibit is for any type of media and we typically get it all. It makes for a diverse show.”

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The gallery will hold a reception for the artists whose work is on display in the exhibit on Feb. 13.

On Tuesday, judge Thomas Germano will award prizes to the show’s entries.

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The stipulations for the league’s members are that pieces submitted should be smaller. Square paintings should be no larger than 12-by-12 inches, but this includes the frame.

For rectangular pieces, works should be no larger than eight-by-10 inches. Sculptures should be six-by-six inches or smaller.

“People do little landscapes, florals, abstract works and portraits,” Marsina said. “They just scale down what they’d normally do on a larger piece of paper or canvas. The quality is good. It’s just that the work is a little bit smaller.”

Artists may enter three pieces each to the exhibit. Marsina said she expects an estimated 40 to 50 artists who take classes at the league to take part in the show.

The works will be on sale at the gallery with prices ranging from $100 to $500.

The league, which has nearly 300 members, will also present a show inspired by footwear titled ‘Step by Step’ in March and an annual raffle in April that acts as one of the gallery’s largest annual fundraisers.

In May, the league will host an open show, during which non-members are able to show their work.

The league hosts an art demonstration on Friday nights. Those events often draw new members, Marsina said.

“Once a month, we allow people to bring in artwork or be part of juries,” she said. “A lot of people start as students and they see themselves start to improve. They become interested in joining.”

For more information on the National Art League, visit the gallery’s website.


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