FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rooted in The Soil opens to rave reviews

Art Exhibition Highlights Works of Many Local Artists

March 1, 2003 -- The Southold Historical Society opened its winter exhibition, "Southold's Heritage: Rooted In The Soil," today.  The exhibition, which runs from March 1st through May 11th, features the works of over 20 local artists.

The show offers something for everyone, from oil paintings to watercolors, and photographs to woven pieces, all based on the theme of agriculture.  Each piece in the show has a connection to the industry that most residents on the north fork made their living from over the past three hundred years.

Helga Michel's Merlot, a wonderful all cotton rug in rich purple tones evokes the colors of some of the most popular creations of  the burgeoning winery businesses on the north fork.  Michel, who spent most of her earlier years in the millinery business, always had an interest in weaving, and participated in shows whenever possible.  In retirement she has devoted herself fully to the art of weaving, and is a member in good standing of the Paumanok Weavers Guild.

Paintings were the dominant art-form in the exhibition, and included a number of beautifully rendered landscapes.  Alan Bull's submission, though untitled, evokes the feeling of winter on the north fork, while Ruth Hamill's Scott's Farm displays a summer time scene, complete with a grazing cow.  Wendy Prellwitz submitted a small abstract landscape entitled North Fork Spring #1, while artist Nancy Wissemann-Widrig submitted very large oil on canvas depicting the Dickerson Farm in Bayview.  Titled Cover Crop, it shows one of the last plantings at the farm before it became the "Angel Shores" housing development.

Photography was also well represented in the exhibition, and included Peter Stevens's Fred Dart's Barn, an image that made it onto the cover of the catalog for the show.  Rich Willott also submitted a photograph of a barn, titled Winter Barn, the black & white image is a stark reminder of how fast our built heritage is disappearing on Long Island.

Other artists who are participating in the show include Judy Ahrens, Steve Berger, Bennet Sykes Blackburn, Joan Chambers, Bob Day, Mary Jo Douglas, Rich Fiedler, S. Neil Fujita, Graham Glover, Gail F. Horton, Evelyn H. Lucas, Adelaide O'Connell, Jacqueline Penney, Robert Strimban, Thom Thompson, Larry Waitz, and Nancy Willott.

The show will be open to the public until May 11, 2003. 

For More Information Contact:

Southold Historical Society
54325 Main Road
Tel: 631-765-5500
FAX: 631-765-5500
Internet: sohissoc@optonline.net