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ARTIST
OF
THE MONTH
ANTHONY D'AVINO
Born in Brooklyn, Anthony D’Avino cultivated his life-long interest in Art at the State University of New York, at New Paltz, where he ultimately received his Master’s degree in Fine Art. He turned to education and became the head of the Art department at Burr junior High school, in Commack N.Y., where he became an inspiration to his students as well as to the faculty. Mr. D’Avino has received a number of awards, naming him “Teacher of the year”, and was named in the publication “Outstanding Teachers of America”. Later he moved to head the Art Department at the Commack High school, and remained there until his retirement in 2004.
Since his retirement from teaching, Mr. D’Avino has been actively pursuing his fine arts career. His career and work were recently featured in a Newsday article, and his piece “The Walking Spaceman” won “Best in Show”, at the Babylon Citizens Council of the arts competition, and was selected by Artists magazine for inclusion in their national yearly calendar. Mr. D’Avino also volunteers at a local Nursing home , where he creates holiday Art displays ,and also plays guitar for the residents and care givers.
Mr. D’Avino’s work is familiar to East Enders, with work displayed at the RVS Fine Art Gallery, and the Parrish Art Museum in Southampton, as well as the cover for the Christmas edition, of Dan’s Papers. Mr. D’Avino has also exhibited at the Museums in Stonybrook, The Art League of Long Island, The Islip Art Museum, The Richard Demato gallery in Sag Harbor, Adelphi University, Nassau Community college,and the Ripe Art Gallery. He also created the poster for the New York Philharmonics concert, at Hecksher Park.
In 2016 Mr. D’Avino was one of four artistis,selected from 300 international entries for inclusion in the “Top Four Pick Show”, in the annual Hamptons Juried Art Show,at the RJD Gallery ,in Sag Harbor N.Y. Mr. D’Avino’s work was featured in the National magazine, American Art collector, and the Sag Harbor News. The Hampton Independent News,featured Mr. D’Avino’s work on their Sunday magazine cover.
Described as a “Super realist”, Mr. D’Avino’s style goes beyond representation and captures a charm and joy through color and composition. His recent work, based on his antique toy collection, evokes a nostalgia for growing up in 1950’s New York, the colorful toys, and weekend adventures of his childhood, roadside attractions like western themed “Dodge City”.
Another series of works were based on his experiences surfing on Long Island. A calendar titled “The Golden Age of Toys, was published. His work has embellished custom electric guitars, adding visual fire and flash, to the instrument. Mr. D’Avino also created the back drop art work for the Los Angeles play “Riding the Midnight Express” for his lifelong surfing friend Billy Hayes.
A truly Renaissance man, Mr. D’Avino is an accomplished musician and a sixth degree black belt in Shorinjiryu Karatedo. When he is not painting, he can often be found surfing along the shore. For more information about Mr. D’Avino, visit his website at D’Avino art .com.
