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COURTESY PHOTO

What better way to bring attention to the work of local artists than by having their projects on display during the popular Alive on 25 street fair?

That’s what festivalgoers in downtown Riverhead can expect from 5 to 9 p.m. today, Thursday, Aug. 11, when the next Alive on 25 coincides with the return of JumpstART, which will showcase work from 14 East End artists.

Projects from this year’s artists, who were selected from a large pool of applicants, include paintings, murals, interactive projects, live music and dance performances. All exhibits are free to experience.

Now in its third year, JumpstART is a professional development program that teaches marketing skills and more to up-and-coming artists.

“JumpstART demonstrates how valuable the arts are to a vibrant and fun community,” said Pat Snyder, executive director of East End Arts. “We are excited to incorporate JumpstART into this year’s new Alive on 25 festival.”

COURTESY ILLUSTRATION
COURTESY ILLUSTRATION

Meet the artists whose work will be on display:

1) Musician Ahmad Ali of Central Islip will present Double A Blues Performance, a four-piece band with new music honoring both the blues tradition and the Town of Riverhead. Call and response songs will engage the community.

2) Graphic designer and illustrator Anthony Catania of Laurel will present Make Riverhead, a postcard campaign and mural of flying fish, both with the intention of opening a dialogue with the public and giving the community a voice in what they would like Riverhead to become.

3) Photographer and painter Katherine Criss of New Hyde Park will present Riverhead’s 3-Step Journey Mural, a reflection and acknowledgment of Riverhead’s renewal efforts, including the teamwork of residents, businesses and government in rebuilding a flourishing community.

4) Drummer and certified music therapist Michael Guglielmo of East Hampton will present Children’s River Music Expression Session, in which children with developmental disabilities and those without disabilities can board the Atlantis Explorer to express themselves through music. The pickup location is on the riverfront behind the aquarium at 6 p.m. A drum circle at East End Arts takes place at 8 p.m.

5) Photographer Jenny Intravia of Riverhead will present There is No App for This, an aluminum art installation and film presentation that explores the decline of the bee community, as well as our dwindling relationships with nature in the age of technology.

6) Painter James Johansen of East Northport will present Celebrating Local Kids, in which four Riverhead children will have their portraits painted. The artwork will incorporate what the kids like about their community.

7) Glass artist Teresa Lawler of East Hampton will present Peconic Clean, an environmental glass fusing sculpture floating in Grangebel Park Pond that was created from glass, local driftwood and recycled materials.

8) Contemporary dancer and choreographer Kendra Mace-Clarke of Southampton will present Dancing in the Rain. Embrace your inner Gene Kelly by twirling an umbrella through a wet interactive dance installation. The performance will take place at 6 p.m. just west of 121 West Main St., across from the Suffolk Theater.

9) Painter Ellen Paul of Sag Harbor will present Nurture Nature, a friendly new water animal mural on the fence blocking out dumpsters, where children are at play. A mini art workshop for kids will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. near the River & Roots Community Garden playground.

10) Graphic designer, painter and sign maker John Prudente of Shirley will present More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys, which features 12 monkeys in the form of sculptures, paintings, mixed media digital graphics and neon throughout downtown Riverhead.

11) Collage artist and jeweler Patti Robinson of Westhampton Beach will present Riverhead Time Warp, which will celebrate the history of Main Street while collaborating with the artist to create a large collage mural.

12) Painter James Sebor of Shelter Island Heights will present Rolling on the River, an improvisational band and art exhibit in the happening style of the 1960s. This interactive improvisational four-piece band will include an open mic for poets and vocalists.

13) Photographer Elizabeth Wagner of Riverhead will present The Gummy Bear Project, a colorful celebration of downtown Riverhead’s sweet spots via gummy bear photography. The exhibit includes a pop-up gallery and interactive candy photo booth located inside a repurposed bank vault. Fun for the young and young at heart.

14) Graphic designer and printmaker Holly Williams of Jamesport will present Native Wildlife Identification Sign, a permanently installed sign illustrating and identifying native Peconic River wildlife that is both visually enjoyable and educational.

Courtesy photo
Graphic designer, painter and sign maker John Prudente of Shirley will present More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys, which features 12 monkeys in the form of sculptures, paintings, mixed media digital graphics and neon throughout downtown Riverhead. (Credit: Courtesy illustration)
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