‘Lights ’n Giggles’ Features Neon Work By Clayton Orehek And Cartoons By His Uncle Don Orehek

The works of Clayton Orehek and Don Orehek —a nephew and uncle artist duo — will be on display from April 1 through May 7, at two Riverhead galleries, East End Arts Gallery, located at 133 East Main Street, and Peconic Crossing Gallery at 11 West Main Street. An opening reception will be held at both galleries on Friday, April 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. The “Lights ’n Giggles” exhibition was curated by East End Arts membership and gallery manager Wendy Weiss to create an immersive experience for visitors. It celebrates familial artistry and embraces the dichotomy of Clayton’s illuminated sculptures of glass, metal, and upcycled material and Don’s original cartoons and illustrations. Visitors have the opportunity to not only explore but also interact with the pieces in each gallery.

Riverhead local Clayton Orehek has been specializing in neon and metal craftwork both artistically and commercially for over 30 years. His notable pieces include the Sag Harbor Cinema sign (2005, 2017), several public art installations in Grangebel Park (Riverhead, 2018-present). His work is inspired by shape, time, and light, with craftsmanship being paramount in his artistic expression. “Lights ’n Giggles” features over 20 original sculptures in the two galleries. Visitors can enjoy a curation of re-fabricated common items, neon pieces that illuminate with a magneto crank, and photo ops, including a socially distanced tandem bicycle that, although in a stand when in the gallery, actually functions.

New York native Don Orehek is a career cartoonist who has created thousands of cartoons over the last 60 years. Hundreds of them have graced the pages of popular publications, including Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle and Playboy, to name a few, since the 1960s. Aside from the magazine jobs, Don has illustrated over 30 joke books, produced caricatures, and taught cartooning to youth. He has won the National Cartoonists Society’s “Best Gag Cartoonist” award four times. At age 93, Don, with the help of his wife Suzanne, has selected nearly 100 original pieces for “Lights ’n Giggles” that range in varying stages of publication. Visitors can enjoy reading the funnies as well as seeing an insight into the process of cartoon creation firsthand.

“Uncle Don and I may not compare artistically, but we share a fluidity in our crafts…and a sense of humor… that glues the show together,” notes Clayton.

“Lights ’n Giggles” opens April 1 and runs for five weeks. Gallery hours are Thursdays noon to 5 p.m., Fridays 2 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 5 p.m. Both locations showcase different pieces. Visitors are encouraged to experience each space. Appointments can be made to view the exhibition outside of these hours by emailing gallery@eastendarts.org.