The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Home is Where the HeART is: Time Out and IN with Evan Lorberbaum

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Artist at Home: Evan Lorberbaum @elovisualart on Instagram  PHOTO By Donna Mueller

Please, let us take this time to dive into the heart of your home; where the art is (not?).

Did you know that having art in your home is just as important as having breathable air within its walls? Have you considered that your children require bright colors and creative visuals to inspire and encourage innovative thinking (especially now that they are stuck at home with you most days)? Could you allow yourself to be vulnerable and understand why an artless home-office could actually be making it harder for you to do your job?

The home, where you’ve been spending more time than ever before, craves the ability to fill its inhabitants with personality, originality, mood, color, culture, inspiration, empathy, and character. What you hang on your walls, stand on your floors, or loop thru your exposed rafters, speaks volumes about you. Loud volumes.

So, now that the base is bumping, allow me to introduce you to a fellow Armonkian, Evan Lorberbaum. Evan is a visual artist who creates under the moniker ELO, which is short for his movement “Encourage Life Originality”. ELO aims to inspire others to reach their full potential in life through embracing their own individuality. ELO’s artistic style and vision is influenced by graffiti, abstract expressionism and his own relationship with time, personal growth and pop culture. Armonk is art savvy–thanks to the Armonk Outdoor Art Show–a great place for him to call home and office.

Evan has an interesting story to tell of how his journey all began. He also gives you this feeling that things can take off really fast, really quickly. He is a natural artist. I believe this is why his art speaks; even when left wordless.

“if art could talk”

With the new(ish) demand for a home office and some space for your kids to be schooled at, Evan has started working directly with decorators, realtors, and homeowners. He is bringing air to suffocated places, lifting walls beyond their 2D-selves. Suddenly you find your brain functioning differently, better, and you hear your kids talking to each other with vigor about the difference between teal and turquoise.

If art could talk, I think it would ask, “why am I here?” Maybe, “why the heck am I hanging on YOUR wall?”

Meeting an artist and pursuing a unique, personable buying experience affords you the opportunity to have these answers. It allows you to tell your friends and family why the piece exists when they come over for dinner and ask you about it (once you can have company again). It comes with a story. Your story. No one else could tell that same story because it’s your art that you bought and no one else was there. And then the art hangs and tells its’ own story. Even as you sleep. No dialogue is needed.

Throughout our interview, I made a few internal chuckles (maybe some slipped out) when I realized we had some similar thoughts about art and life and knowing that his mother and I both attended the same college (Bear down!). But there was one thing that really stuck out to me. Evan muttered something that made me feel ok about something I never really thought was ok. As so it goes “never be afraid to move art around your house.”

Folks, the purple flower doesn’t HAVE to stay on THAT white wall and the whimsical sculpture doesn’t HAVE to be stuck in a corner of the laundry room. Breathe in. Breathe out.

“something meaningful”

I encourage you to reach out to Evan for whatever reason you feel so inclined. Don’t overthink it or second-guess yourself. If you find yourself envious, go get inspired and pick up a can of spray paint on your way home. If you want to commission Evan to paint meaning ON something meaningful or help you upcycle and bring life back to your grandma’s old vanity, he is up for the opportunity and purpose. Whether you want someone to paint your silhouette on a surfboard, or design custom sneakers, or you just want to visit his studio, he will welcome you and your spirit. You will leave feeling refreshed, enlightened, and surprisingly, listened to. Perhaps he’ll even loan you a collector’s piece to try out in your space.

You need art to survive. Your children need art to thrive. The world needs art to breathe. And you can’t have a heart if you don’t have any art.

Evan’s journey includes travel, graffiti, musical inspirations, and collecting his own sort of oddities and collectibles. His art is displayed in libraries, office buildings, hotels, commercial spaces, residences, and outdoor areas all throughout the tri-state and his residential collectors are country-wide. Evan also hosts other artists, collectors, designers, and realtors, at his home studio.

Some interesting nuggets about Evan:

• One of his childhood camp counselors owns numerous pieces of his art (and so do a handful of other buyers).

• He is a graduate of the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study where he focused on the Business of Art & Entrepreneurship, and was recognized as an Honor Scholar.

• This is his 4th year participating in the Armonk Outdoor Art Show.

• ELO, in collaboration with Garrixon Studio, created a 1/1 New York City inspired Nike SB Dunk that incorporates his original artwork, as well custom printed leather that pays homage to the city, named “What the NYC”.

• Throughout the pandemic, Evan donated proceeds from his paintings to Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco.

To learn more about Evan’s work or to inquire about a private tour, visit www.elovisualart.com

PHOTO By Donna Mueller

At the Heart of Community

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One thing I’ve heard consistently about Pleasantville lately is how fiercely proud residents are of their town and of Mount Pleasant at large. As I produced this edition over the summer, and learned about Break the Hold, via Sabra Staudenmaier’s cover story for us, it was not hard to see why.

I feel like I’m getting to know a community that yes, celebrates all its gifts and good fortune, but also enthusiastically embraces solutions to challenging problems via its open hearts and extended hands. To me, such sincere involvement feels central to understanding the heart of a caring community. This story pulled my heartstrings right away. We also have a proud history covering mental health issues, and specifically the topics of depression and suicide. The Inside Press was the recipient a few years back of a Media Award from the Mental Health Association of Westchester. We hope to continue to shine a spotlight on mental health in future issues as well.

In additional heart sharing coverage, I am also thrilled to publish Ronni Diamondstein’s story about Pleasantville’s Gordon Parks Foundation; if you’re like me, you might be one of many who has walked by and felt curious about the foundation’s window on Wheeler Avenue. Its mission is to preserve the powerful images of artist and photojournalist Gordon Parks whose work has done so much to help bring attention to racism. It accomplishes that and so much more.

If you need more reasons to love Mount Pleasant, there is no shortage in this edition. We asked a long time savvy area resident and Inside Press contributor Jennifer Sabin Poux to compile ten, and she does a fantastic job of that too.

Two summer interns, Charlotte Harter and Madeline Rosenberg, have also helped turn our attention to community, with stories about how the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce helps support local commerce, coverage of the town’s dedicated conservation efforts plus a look back at Pleasantville Community Day and the town’s firefighter parade.

We know fitness figures ‘big’ around here too, so please don’t miss the piece about area marathon runners either, which includes a Pleasantville resident!

Finally, we also keep hearing the music. In our debut edition, we offered a preview of the Pleasantville Music Festival (another mega successful day!), and in this issue, we give a nod to the area’s vibrant ‘music scene,’ as writer Miriam Longobardi spotlights a couple Rocker bands led by area moms!   

Enjoy the edition, and we hope to see you again in 2020. Our plans for now are for at least four a year, so stay tuned!  Follow Inside Press Magazines on Facebook or insidepress on Instagram, and soon enough, another surprise pub covering your town will be hiding in your mailbox!   

Joyful Living: Chappaqua

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Abigail Pfeffer, the author’s daughter, prepares to plant window boxes.

“Joyful living” – two simple words that sum up this month’s theme of the magazine just in time for Mother’s Day. It should be easy enough to achieve. After all, we live in one of the most beautiful parts of Westchester County. But honestly, I’ve been having a hard time lately embracing “joyful living” with this never ending winter. I’ve tried to trick myself by thinking that spring is on the horizon. I’ve painted my toes a lovely shade of pastel pink. I’ve done a thorough spring cleaning in my house but still Mother Nature refuses to cooperate.

Nevertheless, I wanted to highlight six facts I learned while putting together this issue that made me smile and appreciate this great community that we call home.

1.The dedicated group of 30 parent volunteers that make up the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) have raised more than $3.8 million since they were founded in 1993. These funds get earmarked for projects that are beyond the scope of the school budget. And while I attended the cover shoot for this month’s magazine at the iLab located at Horace Greeley High School, I got to see firsthand how generous donations coupled with a “can do attitude” make dreams turn into reality. The iLab was created through a grant from CSF six years ago that has left a lasting impression on the district. The iLab has been so successful at Greeley that CSF has partnered with the district to create innovative learning spaces and classrooms in all six schools.

2. Most weekends during the spring I can be spotted on a soccer field. With three kids that play town soccer, there’s a pretty good chance that you will find me or my youngest child learning the basics such as dribbling or my oldest now playing left-mid on his travel team. I knew that there was a devoted group of parent volunteers that make these programs happen as my husband used to coach AYSO soccer. But I had no idea how extensive the group of volunteers is. There are more than 100 volunteers in our town that make games and practices happen every weekend. There’s even a VIP team to serve kids with special needs so that everyone gets a chance to kick the black and white ball around.

3. I love planting my window boxes each spring. After a major house renovation this winter plus the harsh weather, I also am in need of various shrubs, plants and trees for my property. When Mother’s Day rolls around, I begin my weekly pilgrimage to my favorite nursery. I want only the freshest flowers, the lushest bushes and if necessary I will wait for them to arrive. But this year, I’ll be sure to ask my trusted advisor at the nursery, if they are recommending native plants after reading Missy Fabel’s terrific article on the benefits of native plants.

4. Don’t miss Eric Doppelt’s poignant tribute to his Aunt Jane who passed away from pancreatic cancer. The little vignettes that he shares about his aunt paint a picture of his loving relationship with her. From great sadness, he was galvanized to action and has raised more than $150K for pancreatic cancer research.

5. Last summer a friend took me kayaking on Candlewood Lake. Having grown up in the city, I had never been kayaking before and I loved everything about it. The tranquility of being on the water, the rhythmic strokes needed to propel the kayak forward. It was one of those rare afternoons when I felt truly present and appreciative of the beautiful scenery. Luckily there are many options for kayakers of all levels right here in Westchester. Read our round-up of local spots and take to the waters!

6. Speaking of water, I am counting the days until my beloved local pool club opens on Memorial Day. The second I park my car there, I know that the kids will have fun jumping in the water with their buddies and I’ll get to catch up with a friend or two. So dive in to Amy Kelley’s story to pick a pool club that’s just right for you.

Enjoy,