Welcome Back Letter

Dear SCALA Members and Friends,

We welcome you back for the 2022-2023 school year with a renewed sense of energy and optimism. The past few years, while challenging in many ways, have provided endless opportunities for creativity, innovation, discovery, focus, and reconnection. It is said that change is inevitable, and growth is optional – but artists and educators across Suffolk County have proven that growth is more about intention. Thoughtfully planning one’s personal and professional growth fosters long-lasting positive habits. Implementing new practices and intentionally sharpening skills helps us to anticipate growth instead of reacting to it. We’ve been so impressed with the intentional growth of the artists and educators in this county.

With intentional growth in mind, the Suffolk County Art Leaders Association invites you to join us as members – either again, or for the first time – to take advantage of the abundant growth opportunities we provide. We also invite you to volunteer with us! As is the theme of this letter, we are always intentionally growing, and we are grateful to our many volunteers who help propel the organization forward and champion a positive culture in which the visual and media arts can thrive in Suffolk County. Our collaborative efforts keep art education practices current, and we need your voice to help advocate for the arts!

It is through this constant collaboration and a deep commitment to art education that SCALA can once again offer its CTLE Professional Development Workshop Series – and thanks to artists and educators like you, who willingly share your knowledge and time with one another to improve educational opportunities for all, this year’s series is sure to be filled with valuable learning experiences. It includes engaging, hands-on artistic mediums and processes such as origami, sewing and textiles, clay, and photography. As in the past, we also have some special events this year. We continue to partner with the Heckscher Museum of Art, and this year’s tour and workshop will showcase the Long Island Biennial. Besides a guided tour of the juried exhibition and the inspiration gleaned from what is always a spectacular show, we are extremely delighted for the chance to learn directly from (and create alongside) local artists whose works will be on display in the 2022 Biennial. In the spring, a special event brings us to the Long Island Museum for an exhibition presenting Romare Bearden, an artist who was both an activist and a visionary. Bearden’s influence as an artist of great civic responsibility and social action is one that lives on to this day. Engaging with art is essential to the human experience, and SCALA is thrilled to be able to bring you to these wonderful local museums.

SCALA also organizes its own art exhibitions each year, offering you several opportunities to highlight your personal artistic skills as well as your students’ successes. Exhibitions have always been an important and exciting aspect of any art program, allowing schools to provide students with authentic art experiences, showcase student growth, and promote their art program. We look forward to seeing this year’s work!

We’re eager to see you at many of SCALA’s wonderful workshops and events, and we truly hope you’ll also consider joining the long list of amazing artists and educators who have supported SCALA as volunteers and clinicians over the years. Thank you for your continued support and advocacy for the arts and art education.

Always Growing,

Lauren Lewonka, SCALA President

Suffolk County Art Leaders Association 2022-2023 Board:

Lauren Lewonka, President

Patricia Stork, Vice President & Immediate Past President

Jacqueline Korsen, Secretary

Theresa Dunnells, Treasurer

Candice Licalzi, Membership Chair

Carrie Grillo, Professional Development Chair

Krystal Zaglool, Professional Development Committee

Joy Taylor, Exhibitions Chair

Missy Longo-Lewis, Exhibitions Committee