Senator Addabbo Celebrates Districtwide Creativity at 3rd Annual Artist Showcase
October 27, 2026
Senator Addabbo admires the work of woodcarver Casey O'Neil.
A youth harpist quartet, a comic book illustrator sketching the story of a man and his octopus, live wood carving, acrylic and oil painters, a ventriloquist, a musical impressionist, and a harmonica virtuoso were among the talented constituents who took part in Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.’s 3rd Annual Artist Showcase on October 25, 2026, at the Forest Hills Jewish Center.
The three-hour program drew dozens of musicians and graphic artists, offering attendees an engaging, multi-sensory experience—and an eye-opening reminder of how much creativity exists right within the community. Artists had the chance to connect with one another, while the public discovered new favorites and emerging talents.
Barry Feterman kept the crowd laughing with his standout musical impressions of Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias, and Sonny & Cher. His wife added to the excitement with unforgettable performances, including “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” and “At Last.”
The audience was also captivated by The House of Jesse harp ensemble, performing Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Youth harpists Valeria (16), Aaron (14), Andres (7), and Celeste (3) filled the room with delicate, precise playing, while the ensemble’s three oldest members delivered additional solo performances.
Woodworker Casey O’Neil drew frequent attention with his intricate carvings, including an ornately engraved slice of a tree trunk, Disney-inspired bottle openers, pasta tools, and detailed chuppah patterns. O’Neil also demonstrated his craft live—carving a bird onto a wooden square—and surprised Senator Addabbo with a personalized piece featuring his name and title, as well as the iconic Astro-View Observation Towers from the 1964 New York World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park.
Many attendees were fascinated by the work of comic book illustrator Mike Gerlich, who has expanded his artistic practice to include science fiction mixed media paintings and portraits of Godzilla, as well as work featuring Star Trek characters and more.
Other participants in the showcase included Silk Feather Sun (rock band), Sonia Aguila (canvas mounted photography), Tom Haeberle (singer), William “Bill” Aiello (ventriloquism), Bill Gati (pianist), Elly Nina Mor (puppeteer), Ana Nelsy Messano (painter), Gennaro Kravitz (shape and color artist), Angie Sempertegui (acrylic and mixed media), Jiayi He (harmonica player), and Leigh Harrison (fine art and digital photography).
“Thank you to everyone who participated in our second Artist Showcase. It was a truly inspiring afternoon and a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich talent within Senate District 15. I look forward to hosting our fourth Artist Showcase next year.”
Senator Addabbo also gave special thanks to the Forest Hills Jewish Center and it’s Office Manager, Laurie Worthman, and Executive Director, Donna Bartolomeo for their generosity in allowing the space to be used for this event, providing the perfect setting for a celebration of creativity and community. Also, thanks to Silk Feather Sun, for providing the sound system for the musicians.
Videos from the Artist Showcase are available on Senator Addabbo’s YouTube channel at the links below.
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom
