Joseph Reboli

Joseph Reboli: A Legacy of Art, Light, and Long Island Landscapes

September 25, 1945 - June 4, 2004

Who is Joseph Reboli?

Joseph Reboli was a renowned American realist painter from Stony Brook, New York, celebrated for his masterful depictions of Long Island’s landscapes and everyday scenes. Known for his exceptional ability to capture light and detail, Reboli’s work transformed ordinary moments into extraordinary visual stories. His oil paintings often featured the serene beauty of the Three Village area, where he lived, as well as other locales across Long Island, Block Island and beyond. A deeply committed artist, Reboli’s work was influenced by his childhood exposure to art, his classical training at the Paier School of Art, and his dedication to realism. Over his 30-year career, he created more than 3,000 paintings, earning recognition in both solo and group exhibitions across the United States and Europe. His legacy lives on through his paintings, which continue to inspire, and through The Reboli Center for Art and History, where his work is showcased for future generations.

Early Life and Education

Joseph Reboli, born on September 25th, 1945, in Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY, displayed an early and innate talent for art that would define his life’s work. Raised in a historic house on Main Street in Stony Brook, Joe was the youngest of three siblings. By the age of 10, he had already discovered his natural artistic abilities, which were nurtured and encouraged by his parents, Olga and William Reboli. However, it was his Aunt Anna Jicinsky, who worked as a bank teller at a local bank on Main Street (now home to the Reboli Center for Art and History), who played a particularly pivotal role in fostering his creativity. Aunt Anna arranged local art exhibits for Joe and secretly purchased his unsold paintings at the close of each show—a gesture that remained unknown to Joe until after her death. Tragically, Anna was struck and killed by a car at the age of 45 while crossing the road after buying lollipops for children at the bank, a loss that deeply affected the young artist.

Although Joe found his high school art classes uninspiring and even failed his only subject, he remained determined to hone his craft. He experimented with watercolor and oils, creating his own versions of famous art reproductions, learning to mix and blend colors with a palette knife. His love for painting and commitment to becoming an artist was undeniable.

In 1964, Joe decided to pursue formal art training at the Paier School of Art in New Haven, Connecticut, drawn by its classical approach to fine art. At the time, many schools were focused on abstract impressionism, but Joe sought a more technical, realist foundation. Under the mentorship of renowned realist artist Ken Davies, Joe excelled and graduated with honors in 1967. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the height of the Vietnam War, but his artistic journey continued as he was assigned to the Army Exhibit Unit in Alexandria, Virginia, where he worked alongside photographers, designers, and other artists to create exhibits promoting the Army’s public relations efforts.

Career Beginnings and Development

After leaving the Army in 1969, Joe returned to Long Island, where he set up a studio in a converted garage in Stony Brook. At the time, he was married with two daughters and struggled to support his family through painting alone. To make ends meet, Joe worked as an illustrator for magazines like Good Housekeeping, Prevention, and Guideposts. While he enjoyed the challenge of illustration, he longed for the freedom to create art on his own terms. By 1974, he was able to focus entirely on his painting career as his sales of original works gained momentum.

Joe participated in various street art shows and fairs throughout New York, New Jersey, and New England during the early 1970s. These events allowed him to showcase his talent to a larger audience, attracting a loyal following of collectors. He also exhibited regularly at local galleries, including Gallery North in Setauket (since 1967) and Gallery East in East Hampton. In 1974, the Suffolk Museum (now the Museums at Stony Brook) hosted a major exhibition featuring 35 of his works.

In 1974, Joe’s career took a significant leap when he visited the Christopher Gallery in Manhattan. The gallery’s owner, George Shechtman, was immediately impressed by Joe’s snowy landscape painting and his professional approach. This led to several group exhibitions, culminating in a solo show in 1977. The Christopher Gallery’s endorsement opened new doors for Joe, and he began exhibiting at other prestigious galleries, including Gallery Henoch in SoHo.

Recognized Mastery of Light and Realism

Joseph Reboli's work is widely recognized for its serene depictions of Long Island’s landscapes and everyday life. Drawing from a deep sense of realism, his paintings often captured the nuances of light, an element that became one of his signature artistic traits. His ability to render light so vividly and authentically made his works stand out among his contemporaries, elevating his reputation as a master of contemporary realism.

Over the years, Reboli’s paintings were exhibited in more than 20 solo exhibitions and numerous group shows across the United States and Europe. His artwork also attracted the attention of prestigious institutions. In 1998, a major retrospective at the Museums at Stony Brook celebrated his 30-year career and showcased 55 of his finest works. The exhibition was accompanied by a book about his life and art.

One of his notable achievements came in 1999, when his work was featured at the White House Visitor Center in Washington, D.C., as part of White House Impressions: The President's House Through the Eye of the Artist. Reboli’s painting, along with works from 13 other artists, was featured in honor of the White House’s 200th anniversary and was later reproduced in a commemorative calendar.

Legacy and Passing

Joseph Reboli passed away on June 4, 2004, at the age of 58, after a brave battle with lung cancer. Throughout his lifetime, he created an extraordinary body of work consisting of more than 3,000 paintings, leaving behind a profound legacy. His work continues to inspire collectors, art enthusiasts, and artists alike. His spirit endures not only through his artistic contributions but also through his four daughters and two granddaughters.

The Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook stands as a testament to his legacy. Once the very bank where Joe first exhibited his work, it now houses a rotating display of his paintings for public education and enjoyment, ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate the beauty and emotional depth that characterized Reboli’s art.

Through his timeless work, Joseph Reboli remains an integral figure in the cultural fabric of Long Island, celebrated for his mastery of light, his deep connection to the landscapes that inspired him, and his unwavering commitment to realism in art.

The Founding of Our Center in his Honor

Since the untimely death of Joseph Reboli in 2004, there had been an ongoing search for a suitable site to create a unique art center to showcase his large and awe-inspiring collection of paintings. These works, which represent a key part of Long Island’s 20th-century art history, needed a home. In 2015, that site was found, and the new Center opened to the public in 2016.

This incredible milestone was made possible by the hardwork of our Founders: Colleen Hanson, Lois Reboli, BJ Intini and Carolyn Slawski. The story of the creation of The Reboli Center is an inspiring tale that goes against all odds. After over a decade of searching and just under $2,000 in the bank, our founders were just about ready to give up their search for a suitable home to permanently showcase Reboli’s work. By a swift hand of fate and a large serving of luck, hope was restored after major funding for the building was secured through the tireless efforts of New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright, along with generous donations from community members who pooled together to gift the gift of art for the generations to come.

The Reboli Center is proud to declare we are a female operated, certified 501 (c) (3) not- for-profit art gallery organized to preserve, support, and provide public access to the artwork of Joseph Reboli. Located in the heart of Stony Brook Village, overlooking the beautiful Stony Brook Harbor, in the historic brick building that now houses our Center was originally built in 1911 as the Bank of Suffolk County. As mentioned above, this building, the former bank of Suffolk County, has strong historical ties to the Reboli family, making it the most suitable, permanent home for Joe’s work imaginable.

Our establishment provides not only public access to the work of Joseph Reboli but also to a variety of rotating creative and educational programs for people of all ages. Additionally, The Reboli Center is proud to present the work of contemporary artists and artisans, along with rotating historic exhibitions that offer rich insights into art history and the heritage of Long Island. Our exhibitions are always free during our public business hours (Tuesdays - Saturdays 11am-5pm, Sundays 1pm-5pm)  and no reservations are required to visit our ADA compliant facility. Free parking is available to visitors on site. We also offer a myriad of free and affordable culturally enriching, family friendly events. Learn more by visiting our Events page.