The Reboli Center for Art and History proudly presents Renderings & Reflections : an exhibit honoring the lifelong friendship and extraordinary talents of two beloved hometown gentlemen : John McKinney and Joseph Reboli, curated by Jo-Anne Wilson. Each had an insatiable desire to record their observations and impressions of life in the Three Villages and Long Island’s North Fork. John’s weekly columns that appeared for decades in our local paper and Joe’s highly sought after paintings captured the very essence of this place we call home. With carefully measured words and brush strokes, John and Joe invited us to slow down and seek out the abundance of joy and beauty to be found in our everyday lives. Without a trace of pretension, each of them captured the hearts of our community and beyond with their wisdom, wit, and grace. Along with works by Joseph Reboli, we will also be exhibiting the work of seven Long Island based visual artists, Shain Bard, Nancy Bueti, Tim Henry, James Engelbert, Patricia Feiler, Flo Kemp, and Doug Reina. Several of John McKinney’s columns will be displayed among these works of art which were specifically chosen to complement each column.
During the Opening Reception, we will set aside time to listen to Long Island’s own, actor/orator Stuart Whelan, read a selection of John McKinney’s columns. The most touching column being the tribute to Joe he wrote shortly after his dear friend’s death in 2004. John passed away in 2009.
In keeping with all things local, we will be celebrating Leah Dunaief and the upcoming *50th Anniversary* of our local paper, The Village Times Herald, which she founded in 1976. The publication’s fifty year history will be showcased as a sub-exhibit in the center’s Englebright Gallery throughout the duration of Renderings & Reflections.
Artwork by Nancy Bueti
Exhibition Details:
Exhibition Dates: August 19 - November 2, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, August 23rd, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY
Business Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Closed Mondays
Admission: Free (donations appreciated)
Parking: Free, visitor-only parking lot
A Note from The Curator:
Hello to all friends and potential friends of the arts. I’d like to begin with a quote I just stumbled upon a few days ago :
“There are four things in this life that will change you. Love, music, art and loss. The first three will keep you wild and full of passion. May you allow the last to make you brave.” - Erin Van Vuren
Many years ago, I did volunteer work for an organization that introduced the visual arts to people with physical disabilities. Their workshop was full of art supplies and enthusiastic teachers. While there, I met a young man named David who had a severe case of cerebral palsy. His thoughts and feelings and desires were locked up tight in a frozen body. He had limited use of his arms, but was able to paint with a brush strapped to his hand. There’s no describing the joy this creative outlet brought to David. It was then I really began to understand the restorative nature of creative expression.
In my own life, I inadvertently invited peace, joy and stability into my tricky childhood by tapping into my creative spirit. I spent countless solitary hours drawing, writing poetry and listening to music. To this day, the arts are still my salvation when life gets tricky and I need a good dose of dopamine. The arts heal. They bring us together and help to build healthy communities. I urge everyone to get involved. Whether you’re creating or appreciating the work of others, the arts are a vital component to a life well lived.
Please visit us at The Reboli Center. It is not a stuffy place. We are having fun here, and we want the community to play along with us.
— Jo-Anne Wilson