Explore Long Island art galleries like an experienced collector

You’re walking down the street when a painting displayed in the storefront window catches your eye.

You’d like to see more, but your budget doesn’t really stretch to buying a painting right now. Do you go into the gallery and see what else is on display? Will you be welcome if you’re not opening your wallet?

Yes and yes is the answer from gallery partner Wendy Curtis at the Huntington Art Center in Huntington and Drigo Morin, a managing partner at The Firefly Artists Gallery in Northport, a space where artists collaborate and sell their work.

“If you like the art, just go in,” Morin advised. “Let them know you’re just looking around, ask if it’s OK to take photos and ask about the art and the artist. If you show interest, everyone warms up.”

While some galleries are open by appointment only, hours should be listed on their website.

Opening receptions for a new show are a good time to visit since there will be a lot of people mingling and discussing the art, Morin said. “That way you don’t feel alone going in and you can ask questions and learn,” he said.

Many galleries also offer framing services. Curtis noted it was customer requests for certain types of artworks that helped her decide to open a gallery.

To help visitors get acquainted with what types of art different galleries offer, take advantage of a town’s art walks where multiple galleries join forces and participate in a self-guided tour. Libraries also often have gallery spaces and feature works from local artists.

Firefly shows the works of 50 affiliated artists, Morin said, and those artists take turns gallery sitting and handling sales. “We view the gallery as a third space where people can come appreciate the atmosphere,” he said.

Across the Island, galleries offer works that suit a range of tastes, from modern art to pop art to vintage posters, fine-art oil paintings and sculpture. It’s generally a more relaxed scene than the high-end art galleries in SoHo in Manhattan, Morin noted.

Some tips for gallery visits:

• Chat a bit with the gallery sitter or owner. They can answer your questions and tell you about the artist.
• Use your library voice, but you don’t have to whisper.
• Ask if it’s OK to take photos of the artist’s work, and don’t use flash.
• If you post your photo of a work for sale on your social media, make sure to tag the artist.
• Don’t touch the art unless it’s posted that it’s interactive.
• Park any drinks you’re carrying by the door. Many galleries will have a spot for you to leave the drink while you’re visiting, Curtis said.
• Don’t hold conversations on your cellphone in the gallery, and turn off the phone ringer.

Some galleries to visit:

The Firefly Artists Gallery, 90 Main St., Northport; thefireflyartists.com, 631-651-5545

Huntington Art Center, 7 Wall St., Huntington; huntingtonartcenter.com, 631-423-6010

Central Galleries, 116 Spruce St., Cedarhurst; centralgalleries.com, 516-569-5686