Lois Reboli, President and Co-Founder

Lois Reboli is the widow of renowned artist Joseph Reboli and a passionate advocate for preserving his artistic legacy. She has curated an extensive collection of his paintings and spent years cataloging his works, along with the many articles and artifacts that reflect his life and creative journey. Many of these pieces have been generously donated by Lois to The Reboli Center for Art and History, ensuring that the public can enjoy and experience her husband’s incredible body of work.Ms. Lois Reboli holds a degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Stony Brook and a Master’s in Drawing and Painting from Long Island University’s CW Post campus. A seasoned educator, she taught art in public schools for over 30 years, inspiring generations of students. After retiring in 2009, she continued to share her passion for art as an Artist-in-Residence at Southampton Elementary School in Southampton, New York, where she further demonstrated her love for both art and education.

Following the untimely death of her husband, artist Joseph Reboli, in 2004, Lois devoted herself to finding a place where his prolific body of work (he painted over 3,000 pieces during his lifetime) could be preserved and shared with future generations. Twelve years later, her dream became a reality. In 2016, Lois co-founded The Reboli Center for Art and History in Stony Brook, New York, with the support of co-founders Colleen Hanson, BJ Intini, Carolyn Slawski, Assemblyman Steve Englebright, generous donors, and a dedicated staff. At The Center, Lois works tirelessly to honor her husband’s legacy, empower contemporary artists, and make art education accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Her ongoing commitment to history, creativity, and inclusivity continues to shape the Center’s programs, ensuring that the arts remain a vibrant and essential part of the local community.

In addition to her work as an educator and advocate for the arts, Lois Reboli is also a talented painter. She sells her own artworks at the Reboli Center for Art and History, where she donates 100% of the proceeds from these sales to the organization. These donations help support the Center's mission of keeping its exhibitions free to the public, ensuring access to art and culture for all members of the community.

BJ Intini, Vice President and Co-Founder

BJ Intini holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art and Art History from SUNY Stony Brook, with additional studies in sculpture in Italy. From 2001 to 2009, she served as Assistant to the Executive Director at Gallery North, where she played a key role in the gallery’s success and growth.

As a co-founder of The Reboli Center for Art and History, Ms. Intini has been instrumental in making art more inclusive and accessible to the community. Her commitment to this mission has had a lasting impact, helping create a space where the arts can flourish and engage people of all ages and backgrounds. She has also been deeply dedicated to preserving the legacy of Joseph Reboli, ensuring his artwork remains available for public enjoyment and education for many years to come.

In addition to her leadership at The Reboli Center, Ms. Intini serves as a mentor to the Center’s staff, helping them develop essential skills for running a sustainable and successful arts organization. Her guidance has been crucial in shaping the Center’s continued growth and success.

Beyond her work in the arts, Ms. Intini has been the President of the Farmingville Historical Society since 2003. In this capacity, she has spearheaded several significant community initiatives, including the restoration of the Bald Hill School, the development of the 102-acre Farmingville Hills Park, and the redesign and construction of the Farmingville-Holtsville Veterans Memorial Site. Through her efforts, she has helped preserve and celebrate the rich history of the Farmingville area, ensuring that these landmarks continue to serve future generations.

Carolyn D. Slawski CPA, Treasurer and Co-Founder

Carolyn Slawski is a Long Island native who graduated in 1982 from Dowling College. Shortly after, she began her career as a staff accountant with David Klein before eventually opening her own private practice serving individuals and small businesses across Long Island, with offices based in Islandia, NY. Known for her dedication to her clients, Slawski’s maxim is "Knowing your business is my business."

Slawski is not only a founding member of The Reboli Center for Art and History, but also one of its most integral pillars. From the very beginning, she has devoted countless hours of pro bono accounting work to ensure the Center’s financial health and sustainability. The Reboli Center would not have come to fruition without her hard work, unwavering dedication, and meticulous attention to detail.

In addition to her role as Treasurer of the Center, Slawski can often be found volunteering at events, offering her time and expertise to support the Center's mission. She also serves as a mentor to the staff, helping them develop a deep understanding of sustainable fiscal practices that will secure the Center’s future and ensure the continued success of its programs. Through her guidance, Slawski plays a crucial role in upholding the Center’s mission of making art and education accessible and inclusive for many years to come.

Colleen Hanson, Co-Founder and Former Secretary

Colleen Hanson served as the Executive Director of Gallery North from January 2000 until her retirement in September 2010, during which time her leadership was widely recognized. In 2005, she was honored with the Village Times Beacon’s Woman of the Year in Art award, and in 2008, she was named Woman of the Year for the Three Village area for her contributions to the local arts community.

Before her tenure at Gallery North, Ms. Hanson had a distinguished career in education. She began her teaching career in California, where she was awarded for science curriculum development and named New Teacher of the Year for Los Angeles County. Later, on Long Island, she created curriculum for gifted students and taught in the Gifted Student Program for a local school district. She also served as Staff Development Coordinator at the Center Moriches School District and as a lecturer in education at Stony Brook University, teaching in both the Department of Education and the Earth and Space Sciences Department.

Born and raised in South Dakota, Ms. Hanson earned a B.S. from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, an M.Ed. from Smith College, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration from Long Island University at C.W. Post.

After retiring from The Reboli Center in 2023, Ms. Hanson remains an invaluable resource, continuing to guide and mentor staff members to ensure the Center’s sustainable future. Her dedication to both the arts and education has left a lasting impact on our surrounding communities.

Kathy Roberts, Trustee

Kathy Roberts has been a Trustee of The Reboli Center since 2022. With a Master’s degree in Education, Roberts’ spent over 30 years teaching in public schools, where she honed her passion for community engagement and learning. At The Reboli Center, she plays a vital role in supporting a wide range of activities, from building relationships with workshop instructors and securing event sponsors to greeting visitors and leading tours. Roberts’ commitment to the Center dedication and volunteer efforts are invaluable in advancing the Center’s mission to make art accessible to all while preserving the legacy of Joseph Reboli.