Six Artists Collaborate To Make One Great Art Piece

Can  six extremely different artists come together and make great art in one day, on one canvas?

We're about to find out. Pulitzer & Panetta Creative Studio in Huntington is hosting an event Sunday from 3– 6 p.m. that has the artists working on one big project.

“A Matter of Color” is an edgy, emerging group show that was curated by Marna Shoenwald, which has been open since March 6. Now, six of the artists in this seven artist’s exhibition are coming together live to compose, render and complete one massive work of art and is open to the public to watch. All but one of these artists lives on Long Island.

Most of these artists have worked in big formats before and several have painted in concert with other. The artists have no preconceived notion about the piece they are to create and it will be a surprise for all in the end of the three hours. Six different styles, six different techniques, six very different personalities, some brushes, some paint and a surprise piece of artwork.

Local bands Folk Fiction, the Bossa Nova Beatniks and Kane Daily have agreed to let their music be played to inspire the artists.

When asked about the show, the artists said:

Kirk: "I've painted solo murals as wide as 140 feet, so an 8 foot canvas should not be a problem for six of us."

Marna: "This is an amazing group of artists, I feel like it’s all going to come together. I'm very excited!"

Eric: "The creative energy in this group is so powerful, it inspires me every day!"

Meet the Artists:

Kirk Larsen:  From Hicksville, is a masterful painter of Abstract Art.  It was Kirk's representational work that Marna sought as the coalescing element to the show. One of Long Island's premier maritime artists, for "A Matter of Color" he was asked to leave his "boat paintings home" and show his enhanced large canvas musician works and large scale landscapes. Larsen is also an actor, writer, poet, sailor, musician and gourmet cook.

Eric A. Hurnyak:   From Long Beach, is a magnetizing force in the Long Island Art Scene, creating a place for artists that are non-traditional in the Alternative Arts of Long Island and the Facebook site Long Island Creative Vortex. Most recently his paintings are based on a flow of consciousness allowing a more spiritual connection with his work.

Nella Khanis: Originally from the Soviet Union, now resides in Queens and shows her work internationally. Her bright colors portray the world as she sees it. Bold, shapes, lines and simplification of forms present a straightforward conversation with her perception of beauty. 

Michael Krasowitz: From Huntington Station creates art that speak for itself-fun, intriguing, biomorphic and alive with color. He often includes built-in lighting effects for art work that plugs in. He will not be painting as he is showing his electronically enhanced pieces in NYC that day, but his artwork is on display.

Marna Schoenwald: From Huntington is the curator for the show and a participating artist. She paints as she used to choreograph, many layers flowing together on her canvas. Her works include landscapes, cityscapes and spiritualscapes. They range from serene sunset imagery to political and social conscience. Her work has been shown in NYC, as well as here on Long Island.

David Graham:  From Dix Hills is an artist whose work has been shown in multiple NYC venues. He works primarily in acrylics. He employees a deep vocabulary of line while painting celebrities with an unusual twist. 

Eddie Rehm:  From Bellport describes himself as an "Instant Gratification Abstractionist." He uses his art to work though, into and beyond his deep and complex perceptions of life and struggle. 

A great afternoon of entertainment is lined up with what is sure to be an exciting and fascinating event to see. What will they have created at the end of the three hours? What kind of masterpiece will it be? What will they paint a picture of?  Can they work together? The answer to these questions and more will be answered. Take your whole family and attend this rare event.