OLA of Eastern Long Island, in partnership with the North Fork Arts Center, will present “The Worker,” a new art exhibition honoring the humanity, dignity, diversity and resilience of workers across all communities. The exhibition opens with a public reception on Thursday, October 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the North Fork Arts Center and remains on view and available for purchase through November 13.
The show features work by 26 artists in a range of mediums that spotlight the lived experiences of workers — particularly within the East End’s Latino and immigrant communities — whose contributions often go unseen or underappreciated.
Tony Spiridakis, executive director of the North Fork Arts Center, said, “At NFAC, we believe art is whatever makes you proud to be human, and nothing is more human than this OLA show called ‘The Worker,’ which is centered around the dignity of labor — work as identity, survival, legacy and pride — brilliantly co-curated by Kelynn Z. Alder and OLA.
“As artists and civilians, we sometimes feel powerless while bearing witness to our cities being interrogated, and our families, friends and neighbors being terrorized and mistreated,” he added. “‘The Worker’ is a reminder of not only the artist’s power, but also responsibility, in presenting to the world, in times of peace as well as in crisis, the humanity and dignity of the individual — in this case, our fellow invaluable worker.”
Minerva Perez, executive director of OLA, emphasized the exhibition’s message of empathy and solidarity.
“In these times of division and distraction, this exhibition is a vital reminder of our shared humanity,” Perez said. “‘The Worker’ calls us to pause, to see the people behind the labor and to recognize that dignity, compassion and community are the true measures of progress.”
Participating artists include: Amy Wickersham, Aurelio Torres, Candy Heiland, Eric Fischl, Estefany Molina, Filiberto Perez, Gabriele Raacke, James McGarvey, Jeremy Dennis, Jeremy Garretson, John Wickersham, Josh Gosfield, Kara Hoblin, Kelynn Z. Alder, Lori Horowitz, Madeline Daversa, Manuel Macarrulla, Michael Drakopoulos, Nancy Bueti-Randall, Nick Weber, Randall Rosenthal, Rosario Rodriguez, Sandra Mack-Valencia, Sheila Breck, Sueey Gutierrez and Susan Meiselas.
All sales from the exhibition will directly benefit the participating artists. Proceeds will also support OLA’s ongoing mission to foster cultural equity, advocacy and creative opportunity throughout the East End. North Fork Arts Center is at 211 Front Street, Greenport. Admission to the show is free and open to the public. For more information, visit olaofeasternlongisland.org or northforkartscenter.org.
Staff Writer on Oct 14, 2025