The Amityville Art Gallery, sponsored by United for the Preservation of Womanhood, was created to culturally enrich the community through artistic expression. Through rotating exhibits, the Gallery provided a focal point for local artists interested in exhibiting and selling their work. Workshops in various media for adults and children were offered, as well as periodic lectures and demonstrations. Community outreach was an important function of this endeavor and the staff was available to give presentations to other local organizations.
About the Amityville Art Gallery of U.P.W.
By William Bilodeau
When the causes of the disunity of the two halves of humankind, male and female, are clearly envisioned as stemming from basic, widespread, and deeply engrained misconceptions, what is an appropriate response? When women as a group and as individuals suffer the pain and injustices arising out of those misconceptions, how does a socially responsible person act? An appropriate response would be to found or support organizations that could educate people to remove the elements of misconception or ignorance and reestablish the balances and harmonies that comprise a peaceful society free from the strife of male and female disunity.
Such a vision is held by Gurani Anjali, founder and director of Yoga Anand Ashram of Amityville and her active response comes in the establishment of United for the Preservation of Womanhood and the Amityville Art Gallery. Begun in 1977 the primary aim of U.P.W. is to explore the basic nature of the female force and to come to grips with the relationship between men and women, their differences and their balancing complementarities. Gurani Anjali, who is a mother of three children, delivers a regular monthly lecture on a specific topic. Both men and women participate in this activity and many questions of current concern are raised by the audience.
Through all of these educational activities, U.P.W. maintains the unique qualities of openess and freedom from sexual politics.
The Amityville Art Gallery is an establishment of U.P.W. Its aim is to render a public service to the Long Island community by featuring the creativity of L.I. artists and by promoting the artistic expressions of individuals through workshops and classes in various media. Many new artists have had their first showings in the dignified environment of the Gallery. Also shown have been such outstanding works as the paintings of Richard Vaux, Gil Guillery, and Lee Nolan; the prints of Dan Weldon, Margaret Gosden, and Lorna Logan; the batiks of Thomas Fleetwood; watercolors by Henry Fukuhara and Jeanne Koroluck; and the pottery of Way Shen and Gail Vandy Bogurt. Workshops and classes have explored drawing, ceramics, photography, oil painting, watercolor, batik and silkscreening. Possibilities also exist for classes in printmaking and stained glass. Children’s classes in drawing and multi-media are regular Gallery offerings.
Thus in overcoming the disunity of male and female in our society, education and public service are put forward as appropriate responses to the situation. In accepting responsibility for reestablishing a balanced society, United for the Preservation of Womanhood and the Amityville Art Gallery continue their work.
Gurani Anjali: What is Art?
….. ART IS A MOVEMENT
…….. RHYTHM
……….. VIBRATION
………….. SOUND
…………….. MOTION
……………….. YIELDING IN CONSCIOUSNESS,
it always was, yet it is ever present, to the Artist this is visible, form and color blend in harmoniously, the movement beheld with joy cannot be retained or suppressed, this causes urgency and unrest, producing the need to express the inexpressible, so the Artist reaches out in despair at times to recapture the moment gone by, yet ever present in thought.
What is our purpose in this existence? There is a reason for everything and a place for every thought, word and deed, which has its expression, presentation and continuation in the course of cause and effect, the Artist feels this, each individual life is an expression, this is a felt awareness, together with this the rush for the continuation of life is simultaneously experienced; hence, we desire to impress in the flux of three moments, while walking through the garden of life, remember the fragrance of the flowers. The Amityville Art Gallery at present stands as a beacon, an encouraging view on Merrick Road, it is dedicated to the Artist through whose eyes and hands and heart a silent language is portrayed – a time recaptured – a color reborn and a silent form beckoning us on.
I welcome you with heartfelt feelings and sweet anticipation to make this place your place, let us join together for the good of all and make the Amityville Art Gallery a truly sophisticated Artists’ Expression for the respect of Art and the honor of the Artist.
Thank you,
Gurani Anjali
Amityville Art Gallery Opening, Exhibits & Events
