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North Castle

Popular Sport Takes Hold in North Castle – Thanks to The Pickleball Ladies of Armonk

August 18, 2023 by Fran Goldstein

North Castle’s (L-R): Dara Lepofsky, Wendy Ranieri and Heather Hecht
PHOTOS BY DONNA MUELLER

As a long-time competitive tennis player, Heather Hecht was hardly impressed when she first saw people playing pickleball. “I thought it was a very noisy sport that looked like a completely ridiculous made-up game,” she recalled.

“But the fact that the players were having so much fun stuck with me. So, a few years later, while vacationing in South Carolina with my family, I noticed some courts and decided to give it a shot since I’ve always been eager to play any racket sport,” said the Pleasantville resident whose kids are in the Byram Hills Central School District.

Heather instantly fell in love with the game, which is often described as a mix of tennis, racquetball, badminton, and Ping-Pong. She introduced it to her family, as well as to her close friend and Armonk resident, Dara Lepofsky. Dara, another lifelong tennis player, was also smitten and became determined to make it available to residents in her community.

Before long, the two helped pave the way for the fastest-growing sport in the United States to take root in Armonk. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, more than 8.9 million people in the United States now play pickleball, up from 4.8 million in 2022.

Last year, Dara, who oversees the tennis program at the Windmill Club, convinced management and fellow board members to paint pickleball lines on one of the tennis courts. The catch was that a pickleball instructor had to come on board to teach and to make sure the court would be well used. Dara turned to Heather, who had previously taught tennis at a local camp. The two created a curriculum, and Heather’s classes booked immediately. Residents who had already taken up pickleball were thrilled to have a place to play and take lessons close to home. One resident created a community group on the popular Team Reach phone app so residents could communicate and coordinate playtimes. Over the past year, the club painted additional courts, offered more classes, and planned periodic social events, thus giving the sport its due alongside tennis.

“It was like if you build it, they will come,” joked Heather.

 

A Little Pipe Dream Come True

“Within two years, the little pipe dream we came up with while sitting at the beach in South Carolina has become a reality in the area, and I couldn’t be more proud,” said Dara, who is a school psychologist for the Mamaroneck School District.

For Heather, a former benefits consultant, the sport provided a new teaching career. Not long after her classes started at Windmill, the Town of North Castle Parks and Recreation Department joined the ranks of community centers around the country eager to offer facilities for the popular sport and hired Heather to teach.

The Town launched the pickleball program at Lombardi Town Park’s tennis courts last fall, and Heather’s first four introductory classes sold out. Given the interest among residents, the Town offered a winter class on an unused basketball court at the North White Plains Gym, as well as several spring classes at Lombardi, ultimately reaching about 120 residents. Pickleball lines were also painted at Winkler Park’s tennis courts, so the Town now has six public courts for the sport, and residents can play on a first-come-first serve basis. Beginner and intermediate classes are expected to be part of the Town’s recreation programs in the fall, winter and spring.

To some pickleball afficianados, the situation is not ideal since the lines are painted on existing tennis courts, sometimes causing confusion, and players have to learn how to properly adjust the tennis net. “Ultimately, I would love to see the town find space to build dedicated courts so pickleball players have their own place to play,” said Heather, noting that it’s difficult to find dedicated courts except perhaps at private clubs that have converted paddle ball or basketball courts. “But I’m thrilled that we’ve come so far,” she said.

And with public facilities now available, Armonk residents started hitting the courts for pick-up games this summer.

“At the end of Heather’s spring intermediate class, several of us wanted to continue to play,” said Wendy Ranieri, a retired physical education teacher who decided to take pickleball classes to stay active and meet new people. After Heather created a TeamReach group, Wendy took it upon herself to become the group administrator and encourage fellow players to use the phone app to schedule games.

“It’s wonderful to have a core group of people who I see regularly twice a week on the courts,” said Wendy. Ironically, she recalls playing a version of pickleball in college and then improvising in the gymnasium with her middle-school students to keep boredom at bay in the winter months. “I’ve come full circle,” she joked, “but of course the game is very different now.”

The sport has been around since 1965, but started soaring in popularity around 2018. Compared with tennis, pickleball is relatively easy to learn. The plastic, wiffle-like ball doesn’t bounce as much, and the shorter, lighter racket is easier to handle. There’s also less running required since most people play doubles games, and the court is smaller than a tennis court.

“I can’t think of another sport that you can learn well enough within an hour to actually play and feel successful,” Heather said. “You can quickly attain a level of confidence to say ‘yes’ when someone invites you to play. It also provides good exercise, but is easier on the bones and joints, and you can feel like you’re getting cardio without killing yourself.”

But perhaps its biggest appeal is simply that it is a fun social activity. Even players who play competitively can be heard laughing and enjoying themselves. While initially it was most popular with those in middle age and older, 20 and 30-year-olds across the country have discovered the sport. It also lends itself to a great family activity. Both Heather and Dara’s children – ranging in age from 12 to 17 – have been willing to join their moms on the courts.

“It’s taken on a life of its own, and I couldn’t stop it if I wanted to,” said Heather, who now teaches at several locations in the area. “As a teacher, it’s very rewarding to see people pick it up so quickly and have so much fun playing. And seeing pickleball taking off in North Castle has been beyond amazing.”

Where To Play

The list of places where you can play the country’s hottest sport is growing throughout the area. Several public parks have repurposed some of their existing tennis courts to accommodate pickleball. Here’s a roundup of just a few of the public facilities in our local communities.

Armonk – Lombardi Park

85 Cox Avenue
Two tennis courts with pickleball lines
Drop-in play based on availability

Pleasantville – Foxwood Condominiums Park

9 Foxwood Drive
Three tennis courts with pickleball lines
Drop-in play based on availability

Chappaqua – Town Hall Basketball Court

200 S Greeley Ave
One court (sign up in advance)
Sundays: 9 am -12 pm
Mondays: 9 am – 1 pm
Thursdays: 5 pm – 8 pm   

Briarcliff Manor – Chilmark Park

48 Macy Road
Six pickleball courts
Drop-in play open to residents and nonresidents based on availability.
Permits required (application available on briarcliffmanor.gov.

Bedford – Winkler Park

Off Greenwich Banksville Road
One tennis court with pickleball lines
Drop-in play based on availability

To search for additional locations, check out the USA Pickleball Association’s search function: places2play.org

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, Briarcliff Manor, Chappaqua, Lombardi Park, North Castle, Pickleball, Pleasantville, Popular Sport, Where to play Pickleball

A Dream Comes True – How 63 Acres of Land in North Castle Became a Nature Preserve

February 24, 2022 by Vicki de Vries

When it comes to open space preservation, a partnership is typically involved. Recently, 63 acres adjacent to a 700-acre forest were preserved, thanks to the partnership with the Westchester Land Trust, the Town of North Castle and New York State. 

That sounds simple, but what it took to achieve that dream goal is quite remarkable.

Could The Dream Ever Come True?

Town of North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro had known about this property “since at least 2007.” Over the years, the Town’s Open Space Committee had put the 63 acres on a special list of properties to preserve, and the Town Board had had its eye on it too.

So, why did it take until 2021 for the 63 acres to become a nature preserve?  

The property had changed ownership a few times. Schiliro said there was “concern that a private owner would try to develop the land, and the dream of preserving it would be lost forever.”

Then, in 2019, the property went up for sale. Schiliro was elated when the owners Robyn and Vito Errico approached him: “‘A lot of people are interested in it…. Perhaps the Town could take possession, and we could protect it?'”  

Schiliro contacted Kerri Kazak, Chair of the Open Space Committee, to see if they could “explore ways to preserve this property.” Kazak was eager to contact President Lori Ensinger of the Westchester Land Trust (WLT), which also had had a keen interest in the property.

Kazak had full confidence that a land trust partnership was viable because the Town had worked with the Westchester Land Trust “for years,” and “the WLT is the expert on land preservation in Westchester County [and Putnam] and an incredible resource for municipalities.”

WLT President Lori Ensinger clarified that a land trust is “a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve environmentally significant land in perpetuity.”

Land preservation sounds great, but what made these 63 acres so deserving of preservation? Simply put, they sit on top of a sand-and-gravel drinking water aquifer.

How The Dream Took Shape

“Lori Ensinger thought the property would be the perfect candidate for a New York State water quality grant,” said Kazak, “and the Westchester Land Trust applied for the grant.”  

Securing the million-dollar grant was a labor of love that required such things as property appraisals, surveys, an environmental review, and a lot of legal work. It took two years to complete the complex transaction “because it was partially funded by the Town and by New York State with the remainder funded by WLT,” according to Ensinger. 

Supervisor Schiliro commented: “Talk about a remarkable achievement! Then, Covid hit, putting us a year and a half or so behind in the process.” Finally, in late autumn of 2021, the property was purchased by the Westchester Land Trust with the Town of North Castle contributing $250,000. All the parties involved breathed a sigh of relief.

“The entire Open Space Committee is absolutely thrilled,” said Kazak. “Preservation of this property has been the goal of so many people for so long that to see it become a reality is extremely gratifying.” 

Ensinger praised North Castle Supervisor Schiliro for being “fabulous throughout this entire process” and gave high marks to Kazak and the Open Space Committee for their excellent input and follow-through. 

But Ensinger gives “the ultimate credit” to the landowner, who “could have just listed the property for sale and sold it to a private party.”

It took “great team effort to protect pristine land that I’ve wanted protected for 14 years,” said Schiliro. Perseverance, the art of not giving up, that he learned from his beloved mother, clicked together with “the right team and culminated in something really good.” 

Schiliro said, “It happened because everybody was chipping in–our Board, Kerri, Lori, my Confidential Secretary Mindy Berard, Councilmember José Berra, Town Attorney Roland Baroni, and Robyn and Vito Errico.”

Schiliro further reminisced by invoking the line from his favorite movie Field of Dreams: “There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place, and the Universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what is possible.” 

So, dreams can come true, and the 63-acre property preservation is an example that one did.

How the Dream Benefits the Community

Residents of North Castle should be very pleased that their drinking water is protected. The picture could have been different, said Ensinger: “If the 63-acre property were developed into ten homes or potentially had a commercial or light industrial use, that could have had a significant negative effect on the water resource.”

Another benefit that residents can look forward to, likely in a year or so, is the walking trail that New York State has approved. 

Then, there is the benefit of better air quality. Since the property is next to Highway 684, “the woodland serves to naturally filter air pollutants and particulates,” said Ensinger. This type of land ensures “the permanent connectivity of large blocks of forest” and “contributes to regional efforts to combat climate change.”

But the benefits don’t stop there.

Steven DiFalco, land project coordinator for WLT, said the property has “different habitats that host a diversity of plant and wildlife species… an upland forest with rock outcroppings, a pond, wetlands and a vernal pool that serves as an important habitat for amphibians,” such as wood frogs and spotted salamanders. Plus a waterfall. Who knew!

And Supervisor Schiliro chimed in with possibly the best benefit of all: “The land is protected forever. It was easy to think that we would never be able to secure this property.

“But in comparison to how many years this land will now be protected–for hundreds of years–it was worth keeping the dream project on the front burner.”

Filed Under: Armonk Cover Stories, Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, Land Trust, Nature Preserves, North Castle, Westchester Land Trust

The 59th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show Returns to the Field on September 25-26

August 17, 2021 by The Inside Press

Editor’s Note: We are delighted to present the plans for the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, as described by the Show’s Executive Director, Anne Curran. 

Also, since the time the print editions were released, the Armonk Outdoor Art Show has added safety measures to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our volunteers, guests, artists, and sponsors. 

Masks are Required for all attendees over the age of 2, and masks must cover nose and mouth while on show grounds and on buses.

Social Distancing is encouraged throughout all areas of the field. Our new layout of artists’ booths with wide aisles will allow visitors to comfortably browse.

Following an online show last year, the Armonk Outdoor Art Show returns to the great outdoors in its beautiful tree-lined setting, at North Castle Community Park, 205 Business Park Drive in Armonk.  For tickets: https://mailchi.mp/armonkoutdoorartshow/2021-10402562

Typically, the show draws thousands of art-savvy visitors from the tri-state region. Many patrons look forward to the show to reconnect with favorite artists and to discover new, talented artists. First-time attendees will be wowed by the quality and scope of this treasured annual art event.  

A welcoming environment with great food, drinks, and family fun

A spacious field layout will allow added safety protocols and the opportunity to comfortably browse exhibitors’ booths. When it’s time for a break, visitors can enjoy a selection of great food and beverages, including beer & wine.

Free family activities will include take-a-away art kits, a scavenger hunt of clues within artist’s displays, an interactive art installation, fun photo ops, and visiting artists who will guide creative pursuits.

Fine Art and Fine Crafts for every taste, décor, and budget

The top-ranked show presents 160 juried artists from across the U.S. and Canada, exhibiting original artwork across multiple medium, including Fine Crafts, Mixed Media, Painting, Printmaking/Drawing/Pastels, Sculpture, Photography/Digital Art, and Wearable Art.

Artists, happy to chat with observers, often explain the technique, process and inspiration involved in their work. Personal interaction with artists opens the eyes of the beholder to the creator and encourages discovery of art that brings joy with added perspective and appreciation.

Be inspired and plan to purchase great art

There are tools that provide ways to connect with favorite artists, glimpse new exhibitors, help plan a visit to the show and ultimately find artwork that you love.

Follow @armonkoutdoorartshow social media for daily inspiration that will inspire artistic preferences and provide previews of artwork and artists. Save your favorite artists and plan to visit their booths.

Explore the armonkoutdoorartshow.org website to explore the full roster of exhibiting artists, peruse images of their work, and connect directly with them in advance of the show. Don’t miss the five 2021 Featured Artists that are profiled with a short description and video.

Download the field diagram and mark your must-see artists’ booth locations to guide your visit.  

Purchase discount tickets in advance at armonkoutdoorartshow.org

The Armonk Outdoor Art Show, nearly six decades strong, is fueled by talented artists, dedicated volunteers, art-savvy patrons, and generous sponsors, who are committed to presenting an independent, nationally acclaimed Art Show.

Every year, net proceeds of the Art Show support the North Castle Public Library, funding educational and entertainment programs for all ages, and The Armonk Players theater group.

This is a special year of reuniting on the field in appreciation of great art, camaraderie, and staging of another great show!

 

The 59th Annual Armonk Outdoor Art Show

Community Park, 205 Business Park Drive, Armonk, NY 10504

Saturday & Sunday, September 25 & 26 

10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Shine or Rain ~ Sorry, No Dogs

Admission:  

At the Event: $15, Seniors: $13  

Online in Advance: $13

18 and under: Free

Credit Cards Preferred 

Discount Tickets at armonkoutdoorartshow.org

Photos Courtesy of the Armonk Art Show

Tickets:https://mailchi.mp/armonkoutdoorartshow/2021-10402562

Filed Under: Cover Stories, Gotta Have Arts, North Castle News Tagged With: Anne Curran, Annual Art Show, Armonk, Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Art, Artists, Business Park Drive, Community Event, Favorite Artists, New artists, North Castle, safety measures

John Diaconis on…Togetherness, Reaching Out & Preserving History at the Miller House

April 2, 2021 by Christine Pasqueralle

PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

When one thinks back on the past year, a few words stick out: family, friends, love and togetherness. These are the important things in life that have really come to the forefront in 2020 and beyond. Life as we know it has changed in many ways and people are learning how to live in this “new normal.” 

Armonk resident John Diaconis is one of those people. 

A partner at White Plains law firm Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP, he is also a former New Castle Town Board member. Diaconis is now President of Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters, having been a longtime advocate for the North White Plains historical site. 

Diaconis moved to Chappaqua in 1990, when he says, the area was semi-rural and very quiet. He relocated to Armonk ten years ago, where he now lives with his wife Ann Dantzig and her 91-year-old mother, Janice Rabinowitz, whom he says “has more energy than all of us.” 

Diaconis served on the New Castle Town Board for five years and was the Town Prosecutor until moving to Armonk in 2010. He credits his time on the board with his eventual involvement with Miller House. 

“I moved to Armonk in 2010 and the first thing I became involved with was Miller House,” says Diaconis. He was asked to participate by Dorrie Watson, a founder of the North Castle Historical Society and town historian, whom he says was a legend in North Castle. The first order of business was to help work on getting the house refurbished and renovated, as it had been neglected for a number of years. 

“Credit goes to George Latimer: he spearheaded the renovation,” says Diaconis. The Miller House hopes to be back open to the public in the near future, but for now they will offer virtual programs.

As the world began to shut down last March, working from home became the norm for many, including Diaconis. As he says, no one was pressured to go into the office and that it is fortunate that most of the work he does can be done from home. Now, the firm is back up and running at 100% with all safety features, such as protective glass in place. Diaconis works in the office as much as he can now, but employees still have the option to stay home when what they are doing does not require them to be in the office. In many ways, it seems the work-life balance has greatly shifted for everyone over the past year.

Appreciating One Another

Diaconis definitely understands the vast importance of family, especially at this time in the world. Unfortunately like most of us, he has also experienced loss. Diaconis’ son Ari passed away three years ago at the age of 33. While he was sick, he spoke a lot about the importance of relationships. As Diaconis says, “He was a really smart kid. My family and I are very attuned to appreciate one another and our friendships. If anything, the social distancing and stay-at-home parts of the virus have reinforced the importance of connection with people.” Ari and his sister Alix both attended school in Chappaqua.  After graduating from Horace Greeley High School, Alix is now living in Brooklyn and working as a video editor. Ari went on to graduate from Cornell Law School and practiced law in New York City. 

Diaconis also has two step-daughters. Natasha graduated from Byram Hills High School while Lexi graduated from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry. Lexi lives in Providence and Natasha in San Francisco. The family does a lot of Zoom calls and speaks regularly on the phone. Alix comes up to visit after quarantining and Diaconis visits her in Brooklyn as well. 

PHOTO BY Donna Mueller Photography

 

 

 

 

Everything that’s been happening this last year has made them all closer. The community has definitely come together during this time as well. Diaconis says, “Armonk is an interesting town: everyone is pulling together.” North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro always starts each board meeting with “Dorrie TIME”. These are good deeds that people in the local community have done inspired by Dorrie Watson. “A lot of people are involved in community efforts to help homeless people,” says Diaconis. 

Community Involvement

Local churches are doing outreach and are doing what they can to provide shelter as well as community members volunteering with food distribution and at soup kitchens. There is also a large effort to preserve local history: many in the community are actively involved with helping to fund the library and historical society. 

Diaconis really enjoys the sense of community Armonk provides as well as many of the local spots in town–La Mer Seafood, David Chen and DeCicco & Sons included. He spends a lot of time downtown, as it is so walkable and vibrant. As for his role in public service, it all comes down to one thing. “My mentor was Marion Sinek, former New Castle Town Supervisor. People are in public service to try and do good things for people. I try to follow that motto now, as do others in public service.” 

Opening Soon: The Landmark Miller House

Situated on a stretch of Virginia Road in North White Plains sits the Elijah J. Miller House. Once almost lost to disrepair, the historic home has undergone an extensive renovation thanks in part to Westchester County and Friends of Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters. The site was the home of Elijah and Ann Miller and it is where George Washington once stayed during the American Revolution. Unfortunately, it had spent more than 20 years with sustained structural damage and visitation was not allowed. 

In 2019, County Executive George Latimer led efforts to renovate the house so that visitors could once again come and learn about its historical significance. John Diaconis, President of Friends of Miller House says, “Credit goes to George Latimer, he spearheaded the renovation.” And Kathy O’Connor, Commissioner of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation goes on to say, “We were thrilled that the restoration of the Miller House was a priority for the Latimer administration. We look forward to the day when we can begin programming again to educate children about this important landmark and history of their County.” 

John Diaconis, outside the Miller House with Philip Sieverding, a Greeley grad who is on the historic house’s board of directors.
Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Storied History

Originally situated on a 100-acre farm, the house is an 18th Century Rhode Island-style farmhouse, built in 1738 with an addition built in 1770. Miller House served as General Washington’s sleeping quarters and command post during the 1776 Battle of White Plains. Shortly before the battle, Elijah, along with his two sons, John and Elijah, Jr. were killed.

Ann then turned the house into a field hospital, and many soldiers were tended to by her and others in the house and on the grounds. Eventually Charles Lee, Washington’s second-in-command was court-marshaled and the last phase of his trial was held at Miller House. In 1976, Miller House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated a Local Historic Landmark by the Town of North Castle. 

Diaconis is looking forward to the day Miller House can re-open its doors to the public. “We would love to get school trips up and running again, it’s an important part of what we plan to do–to get things back to where they were.”

He has received emails from people all around the Northeast saying how they used to go to Miller House on field trips and that it was a highlight of their elementary school experience. 

Millennial Interest

The Friends of Miller House board includes some millennials, whom the group hopes to connect with younger kids to help expose them to the important local history right here in Westchester County. “Anyone can join the Friends; we always want input from people with suggestions about programs they’d like to see and more. We want to hear from the public.”

For now, Miller House is planning a variety of virtual events including its George Talk book club series, which will feature a book written about Charles Lee. As Diaconis says, “We are grateful for County Executive Latimer’s leadership in preserving this historic landmark. John Nonna, Sharon Tomback and many others also worked countless hours to save the house,” which incidentally also included the saving of a 300-year-old sycamore tree.

Latimer says, “While we may not be able to gather at the Miller House in person, the meaning behind the historic home should never be forgotten. This building tells us the story of the American Spirit.” And we will all look forward to the day when we can once again take in its vast history on its grounds and inside its walls.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, Dorrie Watson, George Latimer, George Talk, historical, John Diaconis, Marion Sinek, Michael Schiliro, Miller House, New Castle Town Board, North Castle, North Castle Historical Society, Preserving History, restoration, The Friends of Miller House, Washington's Headquarters, Westchester County

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

November 13, 2020 by Jennifer Drubin Clark

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

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Armonk, Armonk Outdoor Art Show, Art, Artists, Artwork, Embrace Individuality, Evan Lorberbaum, heart, home, North Castle, Originality

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