Kunstler Exhibit Opens This Sunday

By Joe Scotchie

This Sunday, Jan. 11 the Nassau County Museum of Art, located in Roslyn Harbor, will host the opening of the most ambitious exhibition of Civil War art in Long Island history.

The seven-week show, "The Civil War Paintings of Mort Kunstler" will feature 130 original paintings by this Oyster Bay resident, a renowned historical artist now known primarily for his paintings on the War Between the States.

Constance Schwartz, director and chief curator for the museum said the opening will mark the institution's "first major exhibit on a historic event."

Mort Kunstler has published seven books on the Civil War. One of his most recent volumes, Jackson and Lee: Legends in Gray featured commentary by James I. Robertson, professor of history at Virginia Polytechnical Institute and author of the recent, highly-acclaimed biography of Stonewall Jackson.

Mr. Kunstler, whose work focuses on the pageantry and romance of the war as well as the drama of battle, has been recognized in American art circles as a leading historical artist for more than three decades. He first became famous for his artistic mastery while working as an artist for such publications as National Geographic and Newsweek.

Today, his originals hang in major museums and various public institutions around the country. His art was the subject of a one-hour documentary on A & E Network's Time Machine, and he was chosen by the National Park Service as the first Civil War artist to be featured in a solo exhibition at Gettysburg National Military Park.

In an effort to get Long Islanders to visit the exhibit, the museum is offering a "free admissions" program for residents in several Nassau County communities. During their designated week, residents can visit the museum for free during regular museum hours (11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sunday).

In addition, the museum will celebrate President's Week---Feb. 17-22---with a six-day period of free admission for children who live in Nassau County and are accompanied by a paying adult.

Each morning at 11:30 a.m., the museum will host a "young people's" tour of the Civil War exhibit, placing the scenes in their historical context and illuminating artistic highlights.

Every admission to the Mort Kunstler exhibition will also entitle visitors to enjoy a visit to the Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum. A short walk from the main building, this structure houses over 100 miniature rooms and a Victorian dollhouse.

Free admission week for Albertson is from Jan. 13-18.

For Greenvale, it is from Jan. 27-Feb. 1.

For Roslyn, it is from Feb. 17-27.

For Williston Park, Feb. 24-March 1.