East End Arts marks 40 years of creativity

East End Arts will celebrate its 40th birthday this month, holding its annual membership meeting and its volunteer appreciation day events in the Carriage House behind the group’s art gallery at 133 E. Main St. in Riverhead.

Formed in 1972 as the East End Arts Council — it changed its name last year to reflect the wide scope of events it supports — East End Arts operates a gallery and art school in Riverhead, and regularly holds exhibits at two other sites, Brecknock Hall in Greenport and the Rosalie Dimon Gallery at the Jamesport Manor Inn.

The organization has scores of volunteers who help put on its large annual events, such as the Street Painting Festival each spring in downtown Riverhead and the Teeny Awards for high school theater achievements.

The group will announce its volunteer of the year at its Aug. 14 annual meeting, as well as outline new programs for the upcoming year.

Students from the East End Arts music school will perform, and Long Island Creative Vortex — an arts group which interacts with its audience — will provide what it describes as an “art experience.”