Community Resources

ROUTE 25A AND PRIME AVENUE
HUNTINGTON, NY 11743
516 351- 3250

The Heckscher Museum is presently exhibiting "Shaping a Generation: The Art and Artists of Betty Parsons".
The dates for the exhibit are February 6th through April 18th.

The life and work of Betty Parsons, an artist and art dealer who was at the center of the post-World War II art worlds of New York City and the East End of Long Island, is the subject of this exhibition that opened on February 6th. Parsons exhibited Abstract Expressionist artists such as Jackson Pollock, Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko when they were young and unrecognized. An artist herself, Parsons allowed her own art to take a back seat to her work as an art dealer representing these rising stars of the art world. The Heckscher exhibition, includes almost 60 works by Parsons in conjunction with work of the important artists she represented.
This exhibition is a wonderful chance to discover the wonderful works of art that Betty Parsons created herself.

Throughout her career that spanned more than 40 years, Betty Parsons sought out and exhibited artists who were departing from familiar figurative styles in favor of the newer abstract expressionism. Maintaining a busy schedule between New York City, where she started The Betty Parsons Gallery, and her weekend home in Southhold, Long Island, Parsons nurtured her growing stable of artists while working on her own art. She created paintings, works on paper and constructions that utilized "carpenters throwaways" she collected along the beaches of Southhold.

Among the artists from Parsons' stable whose work is on view in Shaping a Generation: The Art and Artists of Betty Parsons are Pollock, Newman, Alfonso Ossario, Philip Guston and Ellsworth Kelly, each of whom were represented by Parsons early in their careers and who later achieved widespread public recognition. During her long career, Parsons continued her quest for the newest and most creative in art with the result that many of the artists she represented are even today being reevaluated and rediscovered. Parsons, who was born in 1900, died in 1982 at her Southhold home.

There are many special programs sponsored by the museum in conjunction with "Shaping a Generation". The Art and Artists of Betty Parsons include a symposium with a distinguished panel of art historians, an education workshop, and a four -part art history series exploring the history of art by women.

Monday, March 1 from 10 am to 3 pm
Betty Parsons: Artist and Dealer
In a one-day symposium, art historians Anne Cohen DePietro, Helen Harrison, Gail Levin and Barbara Michaels explore the artistic influences of Betty Parsons.

Wednesday, March 3 from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Artistic Voices
A free program for educators demonstrating ways works on view in this current exhibition can be integrated into the classroom. Pre-registration required.

Fridays, March 5,12,19 & 26 from 2 pm to 4 pm
By a Woman's Hand
Museum Educator Lucy Taylor conducts a four-part series examining the history of art by women.

Pre-registration for all programs is required. Please call the Museum at (516) 351-3250 for further information and price of admission.

For children and families in March:

Saturday, March 6 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Tales for Tots: A Color of His Own
Children ages 3 & up and their families are invited to hear museum educators read Leo Lionni's book A Color of His Own and create their own colorful works of art.
Admission: $3.00 for families; Members:free Pre-registration required.

Art After School
Image & Imagination: Abstract Expressions 7 to 11 year olds.
Session I: Tuesdays, March 2 & 9. 4:oo pm to 5:30 pm.
Session II: Fridays, March 5, 12, 19 & 26. 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm.

Children are invited to enjoy an insider's look at our current special exhibition Shaping a Generation: The Art and Artists of Betty Parsons. Students may select either a two-week or a four week experience.

Admission: Two-week Session Admission: $18.00; Members: $13:00
Four-week Session Admission: $36.00; Members $26.00.