DAN'S PAPERS, May 16, 2008 Page 53 www.danshamptons.com
Dan’s North Fork
Made On The North Fork The Old Town Art And Crafts Guild In Cutchogue Offers Much To Do For North Forkers By Phyllis Lombardi Probably we’re all guilty at one time or another. We hear a certain word, pick up on it, and then listen to what’s being said. Eavesdropping. “I love those earrings. Where’d you get ’em?” One neighbor to another at a Riverhead supermarket. Or “What a beautiful watercolor. And that frame! Where in the world did you find something so wonderful?” To a hostess as guests walk into her East Marion living room. Maybe “Thanks for sending those terrific carved shorebirds. Reminds me of when I lived in Laurel.” From a friend who’s moved to Kansas. Finally, “Congratulations. I hear your kid won an art contest and one of the prizes is lessons from an artist.” One dad to another at a Greenport PTA meeting. Just what is the source of all this delight? The Old Town Art and Crafts Guild in Cutchogue, of course. You know the place. It’s on Main Road in Cutchogue, opposite Capital One Bank. And since there’s plenty of parking in the brandnew parking lot (turn in by the post office on Griffing Street), it’s easy to visit this very special gift shop and art gallery. Indeed, it’s special in many ways. Foremost, I think, is that everything, yes everything, in the Guild is the creation, the work, of North Fork people. The paintings - oils, watercolors, acrylics. The photography, the wood carving, the pottery. Dried flower arrangements. Jewelry. The quilts and tote bags. Even American Girl doll clothing beautifully and lovingly made by Marie Helsinki. The Guild is special in another way, too. Its very concept. Founded in 1948, the Guild, a non-profit organization right here on the North Fork, not only provides a sales outlet for members, but is actively involved in community life. Perhaps the most heartwarming of these activities is the Guild’s annual Young Artists competition. Winners are selected in each of three age groups. They receive monetary
awards and art lessons from Guild artists. Moreover, the youngsters’ work is displayed in the Guild as well as in several Guild Snow Fence shows and sales. Old Town Art and Crafts has a long “open” season – from mid May until just before Christmas. But late winter months are busy for Guild members even though the Guild is closed. That’s the time members settle in and paint, sew, carve, and realize all the new ideas they have. And that’s why each spring, summer and fall there’s a glorious array of new items. It’s a wondrous cycle. Directing this cycle is the Guild’s president, Bob Kuhne, of New Suffolk. Bob’s been president for several years now and has worked hard to bring the
Guild right up to date. That means the Guild has its very own Web page. Check it out at www.oldtownguild.com. Though I say come on in. It’s much more fun. When you do come to the Guild, you’ll meet a member who is cashier for the day. That’s how things are done at the Guild. A cooperative, the Guild’s members contribute a small amount of time each year to the smooth-running of the organization. A member can act as cashier (maybe Cleo Tabor of Orient?), or can give lessons. Or even plant the bright red geraniums that line the fence each year. That’s the specialty of Mattituck’s Linda Burke (yes, she comes by and waters them, too) and members are grateful to her. The guy-members do the heavy-duty stuff. Like moving shelves and tables up stairs and down. And cleaning gutters and leaders. Special occasions at the Guild? Lots of them. This year July 5, August 23 and October 18 are Snow Fence show and sale days. On August 2 the Guild has its annual Art and Crafts Show on the Cutchogue Village Green. No sense trying to list everything. Stop in and check the calendar. (Not on Tuesdays – they’re closed.) Call first, if you wish, at 631-734-6382. Their hello is just for you. P.S. President Bob wants me to tell you of a “first” for the Guild. On June 21 there’s a tour of Guild members’ art and craft studios. More than 16 of them – with demonstrations at the Guild, too. Sounds like another good day.
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