PJAC Mission

 

The Arts are Alive and Culture Thrives in Northern Brookhaven through the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council’s, dba Port Jefferson Arts Council  (PJAC) in-depth programming vision.
 

Since 1986, PJAC has served the entire Northern Brookhaven area of Long Island from the North Shore down to the Long Island Expressway, a community of approximately 230,000 people consisting of all age, socio-economic and racial groups. We provide support for artistic activity embodying music, film, visual arts, and all educational and cultural endeavors as they relate to the arts. This mission is accomplished by coordinating our efforts with arts organizations, artists, local municipalities, schools, art galleries, libraries, theaters, and other such organizations that share our common goal. Most importantly, we do this for you! Our friends, our neighbors, our community!
 

Active programs and services include the Charles Dickens Festival voted Best of Long Island Annual Event/Festival five years in a row; the Port Jefferson Documentary Series voted Best of Long Island for nine years in a row; Sunday Street Concert Series at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook; Sunset Concert Series in Harborfront Park, Wednesdays through July and August; WinterTide Concert Series, Port Jefferson Village Center on Friday evenings in February and March: Fiddle & Folk Festival on Benner's Farm in Setauket; the Cedar Beach Blues on the Harbor Festival; the Port Jefferson Sea Music Festival; Classical Plus, a true salon-type setting for excellent classical music performances! We feature original music from talented singer-songwriters and impactful and thought provoking films and festivals that bring the joy of the arts to our community.

 

 

PJAC Board of Directors

 

Allan Varela, Chair

With the Arts Council in various roles for nearly forty years, Allan Varela has worn many hats during his career as a musician, writer and designer. As Chair, he brings his talents and commitment to building community support for the arts and the love of the smiles on the faces of the families who attend the Dickens Festival and other GPJAC programs throughout the year.

 

Karen Overin, 1st Vice Chair

For years, Karen Overin has been among the key organizers of the street performers of the Dickens Festival and has been a noted performer with her husband, George Overin. She brings the skills and relationships from her long career in education, event coordination and community service to her work with the Arts Council.

 

Marie Bove, 2nd Vice Chair

A longtime member of the community who gives generously of her time and talents to support the programming and to drive community membership to the arts council and attract volunteers for the Arts Council’s many community programs.

 

Paul Braile, Acting Treasurer

An award-winning light designer and volunteer in our community, Paul focuses on supporting all the Arts Council programming by presenting our artists and performers in the best possible light. Also known in the Port Jefferson community for leading a dedicated group of volunteers each year to transform the High School into a prom paradise and lending his talents bring a professional shine to the high school’s theatrical productions.

 

Kelly DeVine, Board Secretary

Joining the Board in 2023, Kelly DeVine brings a love of programming and a commitment to community to her role on the Arts Council. Her experience at cable channels, with high profile impact campaigns and with film festivals frame her approach to sustaining the legacy film programming of the Arts Council while working to develop new collaborations and programming.

 

Lyn Boland, Board Member

A noted area attorney and community member with a history of work with marquee companies such as CBS, Lyn Boland has served the Arts Council over the decades in various roles. Her love for film and legal experience have proved invaluable in guiding the Arts Council.

 

Anthony Lymber, Board Member

A highly skilled network engineer, Anthony Lymber brings his analytical thinking, effective communication and knowledge of emerging technologies to every organization with which he has collaborated. He has supported the Dickens Fest in various roles.

 

Deborah Neubert, Board Member

Before her career in corporate marketing, Deborah Neubert spent her youth treading the boards or working backstage on numerous productions. Her love for the theater and the arts attracted her to joining the Arts Council Board. She has supported the Dickens Festival in the past by arranging hospitality for the street characters.

 

Camille Abbruscato, Board Member

A marketing professional for over 20 years, Camille Abbruscato has been teaching at Stony Brook since 2006. Her coursework has included marketing, research, strategy, brand management, advertising and promotion, new product development, business marketing, and operations. Camille continues to utilize her professional experience as a consultant for local businesses and in her positions on the Board of Directors of the Port Jefferson Arts Council, and the Brookhaven Business Advisory Council.

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Juliette Passer, Board Member

A noted attorney, Stony Brook professor and celebrated harpist, Juliette Passer joined the Arts Council in 2023 bringing her energy and creativity to supporting the organization. Juliette completed law studies from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, graduating cum laude, and serving as President of the International Law Society. She also undertook special studies in Soviet Law at the Columbia School of Law. She holds a M.A. in Music Education and a B.M. in Harp Performance from the Manhattan School of Music; she also studied at the Juilliard School and Santa Cecilia Conservatory. Among other engagements, she was the principal harpist at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in NYC with the original production of “The Fantasticks.”

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Theresa Ryan, Board Member

As a Nurse Practitioner, Theresa Ryan views the arts as a prescription for wellness. To promote the beneficial effects that music, film and visual art can have on a person Theresa oversees the Classical Plus Concert Series with Advisory Member Alexander Tamuk and current Board Member Agata Gajewski-Sathi. In addition to this, Theresa has embodied the spirit of Christmas as a street character in the  Annual Charles Dickens Festival. Serving on the Arts Council fosters the traditions of storytelling and theater to continue to be passed down to the next generation.  Through the Arts Council's many programs she encourages healthy socialization for all age groups.

 

Julianne Mosher Allen, Board Member

Holding degrees in Communications and Journalism, Julianne Mosher Allen has honed her skills as a local journalist, public relations professional and professor.  She joined the Arts Council in 2023 adding her talents to the organization and guiding its communication strategy.

 

Agata Gajewski-Sahti

A prominent Port Jefferson business-owner, Agata Gajewski’s love of the arts brought her to join the Arts Council Board.  Agata generously partners with the Arts Council to present the Classical Plus concert series showcasing the curation of Artistic Director Leon Livshin who weaves together music, film, poetry and art into a unique experiential program.

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