Inspired by and intended to complement a separate show being run by our neighbors at the Trinity Community Art Center, this show reflects and honors Jack Kerouac’s deep love of jazz, as well as his intuitive sense of the intrinsic connection between music and prose that we believe applies to visual art as well.
Please bring us artworks that evoke an air of music and poetry. Creative interpretations of this theme are warmly welcome.
an open call
This open-mic, jazz riff of an exhibition will celebrate that essential connection between art, music, and poetry. It will be displayed in the “Darcy Arts Center” Special Exhibition Space of The Firefly Artists, 90 Main Street, Northport, NY.
Creative interpretations of this theme are warmly welcome. Jack Kerouac wanted “to be considered a jazz poet blowing a long blues in an afternoon jam session on Sunday.” He wrote passionately about musicians like Miles Davis, whose protégé, John Coltrane wrote his masterwork in nearby Dix Hills. John, himself, was known for hours-long jams, blowing, it seemed, to honor and channel some higher power; to explore the intricacies of mathematics and science; to find some way to heal the wounded soul. Music in poetry. Poetry in song. All of it a fine inspiration for visual art.
Call Details
In honor of the beat and the essence of jazz, the show itself is simple… a free write, an open mic, a streaming consciousness of visual art. Send us emotive, abstract works, poignant illustrations, flowing sculpture, works representing musicians, and/or mixed-media pieces that weave in the written word. Show us the poetry in a flower, the song in a wave.
While this is, at core, a visual art show, one page of poetry or sheet of music is also acceptable. Artistic presentations of these are encouraged but not required as a hand written page alone may be profound.
Free spirits are welcome, as are any attempts to loosen a world-tightened brush. We look forward to seeing how you interpret this free-flowing theme. May it be a form of release, a solo riff in a sea of artworks, some poetry that makes it all worthwhile…
CALENDAR
Submissions Still Welcome: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the space is filled
Acceptance: Acceptance will be confirmed with an email response containing payment instructions. Payment must be received before work will be hung.
Dropoff: Once you send the email and receive a payment link, you are good to drop off during regular business hours
Exhibition at The Firefly Artists: Thurs Mar 12- Thurs April 2
Closing Reception: Thurs April 2, 7-9pm
Artwork Pickup: Thurs 4/2, 9pm, Wednesday, 4/8. 12-8pm, Saturday 4/11, 12-8pm
AWARDS
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Honorable Mention
Writers Circle
Join Kasher Gallery for a special Writers’ Circle hosted inside the Firefly! For this session, they’ll let the art lead.
Participants will spend time wandering the gallery, choosing a piece that resonates, and using it as the starting point for a guided writing prompt. Whether it sparks a memory, a story, a poem, a reflection, or something entirely unexpected, this evening is about slowing down and responding creatively.
To Learn More and Register: Visit Kasher Gallery & Studio
FREE PAINT
We’re just going to hang out with Drigo. Bring a drawing pad, or maybe your paints. Folks who want to make music are welcome, too (acoustic only, please)
When: Saturday, March 21 @6pm
Please Register: The event is free, but space is limited. Email events@thefireflyartists.com to let us know if you’d like to come and what you’d bring.
Event information
We are deeply honored to welcome some very special Friends of the Coltrane home for a deeply cool listening party and discussion about John and Alice Coltrane and their Dix Hills Home, which is being transformed into a museum and cultural center.
When: Saturday, March 28 @6pm
Yasuhiro “Fuji” Fujioka is a Board member of the Friends of The Coltrane Home in Dix Hills, President of the Coltrane House of Osaka, and owns the Kimono shop, “Fujioka.” He is also a freelance jazz writer/ producer/ photographer/ educator and the author of four books on the subject of John Coltrane.
Hollis King is the former vice president and creative director at the Verve Music Group, the largest jazz record label in the world. He has worked with some of the greatest musicians of all time, and has himself received numerous achievement awards and citations.
This is a Free, Open Door Event. We’d love to hear if you’re coming.
Call to Artists: "Rolling Under the Stars"
90 Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
Exhibition Dates: March 12-April 2
