We were so excited to host art lovers near and far for the opening of the IMPACT Photo Exhibit. The gallery, blindly selected by the IMPACT jury, was composed of 100 images created by Long Island residents, selected from over 460 submissions. Standing shoulder to shoulder, over 200 patrons shared in the wide range of human emotion and connection amplified by the powerful displays. This show brought the community to life, uplifted local artists and elevated IMPACT’s mission of building and strengthening the photography community on the North Fork.
The members of the 2026 IMPACT jury included accomplished photographers and expert photo editors. Among the jury, Amnon Bar-Tur, a well known photographer and founder of the international BarTur Photo Award, tackles important global issues including social, cultural and environmental through photography. Linda Badd is recognized as a talented fashion stylist, producer and photo editor who uses her skills to create texture, color and storytelling for successful advertising campaigns. Guerin Blask is most known for his incredible celebrity portraits widely published in TIME, The Washington Post Magazine, The New York Times and Billboard, to name a few. Deborah Feingold is known for photographing influential musicians and significant cultural figures including B.B. King, Madonna, Bono and many more. Macall Polay is an expert in film photography and television production with global acclaim. Harvey Stein is a talented photographer, published author of ten photography books and passionate art educator. These dedicated professionals were tasked with selecting photos that they found most impactful, without knowledge of the artist behind the image.
North Fork Arts Center’s board member Paul Henry is the founder and curator of IMPACT, “It really takes a village, many thanks to everyone. Such a pleasure to bring so many artists together to share their work. IMPACT shows exactly what the North Fork Arts Center was always meant to be—a place where artists and community come together. Looking forward to building on this success."
Project Manager of IMPACT and former NFAC Events and Education Coordinator, Meghan Connolly, “Seeing the community respond so positively to IMPACT has been very gratifying. This exhibition represents so much hard work, and we’re overjoyed to finally bring it to life at the North Fork Arts Center. It's really special how the show resonates with both professional photographers and everyday photo lovers, and I'm excited for our community to continue exploring the work!”
Photographer and long time employee of NFAC, Rob Lehmann, displayed two images in the collection Parenthood and Safety in Captivity. The former conveys a celebration of parenthood and the emotional journey of bringing a newborn into the world, while the latter contrasts the balance of freedom versus safety. Lehmann expressed what many of the artists were feeling that day: “Seeing my own work beside that of many talented photographers is pretty surreal. Having the opportunity to listen to them speaking about their works and experiences was inspiring.”
Artist and NFAC Shift Lead Gregory Turner was able to supply handcrafted wooden frames to display some of the photographs including Parenthood and Safety in captivity. Turner expressed appreciation for being included in IMPACT in this way and elaborated on the community building aspect of the show: “Working on this project for my dear friend Robert Lehmann was a fulfilling labor of love; as he and his wife have always been there to support my artistic journey.”
Countless other photographers in the collection, all of whom are local to Long Island, have long histories of supporting the arts through donations, event attendance, and membership. We thank everyone for their ongoing support!
The exhibit’s opening reception was preceded by panels that brought together experts in the field of photography, editing, and advertisement. Moderated by North Fork Arts Center Executive Director Alison Omens and Paul Henry, panelists highlighted some of their favorite pieces, relived important moments throughout their career, and answered questions posed by the audience members. Panel participants and jury members Harvey Stein, Guerin Blask, Macall Polay, and Deborah Feingold discussed IMPACT’s blind jury process and their long lasting careers in the photography space. Jim Willse, an American journalist, award winning newspaper editor, and nonfiction writing educator and Jeroen Bours, an influential art and creative director in the advertising space, well known for his “Priceless” advertisements for Mastercard also joined and spoke of what makes a photograph impactful and long lasting in the memories of individuals.
Patrons of the event had the opportunity to vote for the photo they deemed most impactful for the People’s Choice Award. Voting will remain open until the closing of the exhibit on November 22.
If a photo has left a lasting impression, consider supporting the artist by purchasing! Contact the artist directly or email IMPACT for assistance.
Thank you to the local businesses who supplied the perfect accompaniments for the collection: wine and sparkling cider was provided by Anthony Nappa Wines and Shared Table Farmhouse; Noah’s for the delectable hors d’oeuvres; The Village Cheese Shop for their flavorful charcuterie board; delicious biscotti from Aldo’s; and a touch of sweetness from the Blue Duck Bakery Cafe.
IMPACT is sponsored by The Suffolk Times, Shelter Island Reporter, Preston’s Chandlery, Shared Table Farmhouse, First and South, Reflective Images, Noah's and Anthony Nappa Wines. Thank you to these generous sponsors for making the event possible.
To get involved with IMPACT, visit their website and join the mailing list to stay updated on upcoming events and shows.
