Fans of Love Lane are in for a treat — The Shops of Love Lane, an art exhibit featuring paintings of the unique stores on Mattituck’s iconic street, opens on August 5 at Love Lane Kitchen (240 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-8989).
Stephen Ness, an Aquebogue artist and self-professed fan of Love Lane Kitchen, curated the show, which features paintings by a group of local artists called Shared Vision.
Ness says the opportunity came about after a lunch at the restaurant, when he noticed the artwork on display needed more organization.
“I went to Carolyn (Iannone, Love Lane Kitchen’s owner) and said, ‘your art is a mess — the paintings are crooked and you don’t have labels. Can I take it over?’ She said ‘Absolutely!’”
That was three years ago, and since then Ness has continued the restaurant’s tradition of showcasing local artists. “She has always believed in supporting local artists,” says Ness of Iannone. “She is a lovely woman!”
One recent exhibit featured artwork by children under 12, with nine paintings sold.
Looking for a theme for the latest show, Ness turned to Shared Vision, a group that has exhibited at the restaurant before.
“I thought, ‘why don’t we celebrate the heart of Mattituck —Love Lane’,” he says. The exhibition includes paintings of shops along the street, from the post office to Love Lane Kitchen itself.
“The walls will be transformed into a love letter to our village,” Ness says. “These are the shops that give Love Lane its charm, its character and are the center of the community.”
Paintings from The Shops of Love Lane. (Photos Courtesy of Shared Vision)
Ness, an artist himself who shows his work at William Ris Gallery in Jamesport, relates that several of the artists that have shown their work at Love Lane Kitchen have been picked up by local galleries. “I feel like I mentor these struggling artists,” he says.
Beyond the visual arts, Ness is involved with the North Fork Community Theater, where he has directed productions, worked on costumes and props, and served four years on the board. He also serves on the advisory board at the North Fork Arts Center in Greenport.
Shared Vision is a group of seven artists: Trish DeBlasio, Imelda Corcoran Farrell, Fran Liburt, Darren Mignone, Bev Wowak and Robin Ziemacki, led by Lee Harned, an art educator of 35 years and former Mattituck High School art coordinator.
All of the group members are longtime residents of the North Fork. According to a statement from the group, “these artists share a common sensitivity to the changing colors of the season, the effect of light on the landscape and surrounding waters, the wonder of the sunrise and sunset, as well as the bucolic nature of our farm fields, vineyards, architecture and winding creeks. They are frequently spotted at establishments on Love Lane. They travel the same roads, view the same sights and some even live in the same neighborhood; however, they each express themselves individually by infusing a love of the environment and their community into their work.”
The Shops of Love Lane will be on display at Love Lane Kitchen from August 5 to September 1.
