Art show celebrating the works of Delores Levy opens at The Fountains

MILLBROOK — Selections from a lifetime of creativity and an artist’s skilled depictions of scenic localesare on display at The Fountains in Millbrook. A retrospective view of the works of Delores Levy, 93, the new exhibit opened on Thursday, Jan. 22, drawing a significant turn-out of residents and friends.

Nearly 50 art enthusiasts attended the opening, marveling at Levy’s sensitive use of color and the varied subject matter within the collection of framed paintings, mostly watercolors, that were selected for the show. The exhibit will remain in place for one month.

Ellen O’Shea, art teacher at The Fountains, said that she had proposed the showing in December. It had developed from there as she took Levy’s portfolio home and made careful selections, seeing to the framing of a few to complete the exhibit.

“It was a pleasure to go through your portfolio,” O’Shea told Levy, presenting her with a bouquet to open the exhibit, a bouquet replete with Levy’s favorite yellow blooms.

“She’s magic; she’s fun to be around,” said Levy’s friend Joan Burgess of Millbrook, who attended the event. Within the two years of their friendship, Burgess said that Levy had painted a portrait of her dog, Sebastian, a painting that she displayed on her phone to the amusement of attendees. Burgess added that Sebastian himself is a popular canine figure along the sidewalks of Millbrook with his expansive welcoming personality.

A Fountains resident for the past four years, Levy was born in East Islip and raised in Oakdale, New York. Her interest in painting began in college, according to her daughter, Lynn Carson, who attended the event along with other family members. Levy’s career was in social work. She moved to Longboat Key in Florida upon her retirement, continuing to paint scenes in that locale.

“You should see how funny the house looks with so many hooks for paintings on the walls,” Carson said, adding that her sister, Karen Martin, is also an accomplished artist.

“There are a million things to say,” commented Deborah Slocum, Executive Director at The Fountains who attended the opening. “Delores is such an inspiration and so humble about her talent.”