Community Participation

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is responsible for fiduciary oversight and organizational guidance. They ensure the organization operates in accordance with its tax-exempt purpose and remains aligned with its stated mission and values while setting policies that adhere to the highest standards of legal and ethical behavior.

Current Members:

Cliff Baldwin (Co-Director) is a North Fork artist who has been active locally for 35 years. He started Save Open Space, recognized by governor Pataki, in the late 90’s and helped legislate the Community Preservation Fund (the local law that provides billions for open space preservation) on the East End. He served as a member of the Riverhead Landmarks Commission for 6 years. He is on the board of the Jamesport Meeting House and helps curate programming there. He founded Aqui Editions, a source for multiples and curated artists’ publishing projects in 1983. Aqui is still thriving. His own work, as well as collaborations with numerous composers, and artists is in several major museum and university collections. His passion for all things North Fork is of primary importance in both life and work.

Barbara Sokobin Horowitz (Co-Director) is a celebrated interior designer, founder of Barbara Horowitz Design, whose principal professional focus is the design of residential properties, schools, synagogues, and other public spaces. She is an avid follower of developments in the worlds of contemporary art and architecture, which she has often drawn upon as inspiration for her design practice. Barbara is native New Yorker who has spent half of every year since she was fourteen years old on the North Fork, and currently divides her time living and working between NYC and Jamesport. Her two adult children – who spent much of their childhood in Orient – share her love for both the North Fork and the arts.

Our Volunteer Advisory Councils

We’ve created Advisory Councils whose members contribute time, expertise, and support for North Fork Contemporary.

Our Founder’s Council is comprised of artists, art writers, curators, and arts administrators who have provided programming suggestions and structural advice for North Fork Contemporary since it’s inception and who continue to be invaluable resources for the organization.                                                      Members: Hideaki Ariizumi – Architect/Designer,  Joyce Beckenstein – Art Historian/Writer/Curator, Joseph Diamond – Arts Administrator, Peter Treiber – Artist/Farmer,  Amei Wallach – Filmmaker/Art Critic/Writer

The Communications & Development Council is made up of professionals in public relations, marketing and development who help the organization find the best ways to develop new audiences, effectively communicate our goals and programming information to the public, while also seeking to provide material support for North Fork Contemporary through grants, individual philanthropy, corporate and individual donations, and events.  Members: Monika Condrea – Founder mCPR communications, serving clients in the visual arts, publishing, fashion, design, and architecture communities. Monica is also the Business Development/ Communications Director for STEIDL publishing, Jane Hershcopf-Schreck – Freelance Events Coordinator (NYC),  Nicole Straus – Founder Nicole Straus Public Relations, a boutique agency providing high profile public relations and marketing solutions for leaders in art, culture, design, and architecture.

Members of the Artists’ Council are respected and influential regional and nationally acclaimed creative artists, designers and architects. Members: Hideaki Ariizumi, David Bers, Kang Chang, Joanne Greenbaum, Rainer Gross, Glen Hansen, Skuta Helgason, Karine Laval, Randy Polumbo, Yvonne Puffer, Agathe Snow, Adam Straus, Allen Wexler, Ellen Wexler, Sam Van Aken, Ellen Wiener,

Our Arts Professionals Council are experienced arts professionals who are or have been leaders of artist service or presenting organizations, funders, art writers, curators, gallerists, and museum directors. Members: Frayda Feldman – Gallerist, Feldman Gallery, Alex Ferrone – Director, Alex Ferrone Gallery,  Sharon Gallagher – Founding Director, Artbook | D.A.P., Anne Hargrave – Vice President / Senior Appraiser, Christie’s, Ruby Lerner – Arts Administrator, Founder/former Executive Director, Creative Capital Foundation, Randy Polumbo – Founder, Designer – Plum Gut Lighthouse artist residency, Charles Riley – Director, Nassau County Art Museum, Jonathan Weiskopf – Gallerist, VSOP Gallery (Greenport), Martha Wilson – Artist/Founder of Franklin Furnace.

The Territorial Resources Council includes influential community leaders from the North Fork – people who have influenced the region from the fields of business, agriculture, government, environmental protection, historic preservation, philanthropy, and as community activists. Members: Cathy Demeroto, Executive Director, CAST, (Center for Advocacy, Support, and Transformation), James Farley, Lawyer/Accountant, Louisa Hargrave, wine consultant, writer, preservationist, and co-founder of Long Island’s first commercial vineyard and winery.