LI painter, 93, has works featured in Malverne Art Walk

Jack Faragasso didn’t sell his art, which often depicts outer space and landscapes, growing up because there was no interest.

“Nobody would buy it, so I just put it away because I figured I could have sold it for a real cheap price, but I felt my work is worth a lot more,” he said, pointing to his paintings on the wall behind his couch. “I don’t care what the critics say.”

But Faragasso, 93, kept at his craft of painting and has taught students since 1968 as an instructor at The Art Students League of New York in Manhattan. Now, he will have four pieces featured in the Malverne Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 Art Walk, which runs through June 24.

The Bristal Assisted Living at Garden City resident is among 50 artists from Long Island who have their work on display in various businesses on Hempstead Avenue, Church Street and Broadway. The 122 pieces of artwork will vary from quilts, canvas, photography, tapestry and sculptures.

Faragasso started working at The Art Students League, teaching students “principles of realistically drawing and painting nature,” according to the school’s website. He had gone to school there after leaving the Army in 1947. He taught at night so that he could focus on working on his art during the day and is now an instructor emeritus.

Faragasso made cover illustrations for books including “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “The War of the Worlds.” Some of his work is part of a private collection with The Art Students League.

Maria Casini, president of the Malverne Chamber of Commerce, said the art walk, the fifth annual event, started as a way to bring people to the village’s businesses downtown. “It’s a business-building event that literally brings in Malverne and other communities to our businesses’ doorsteps, and in some cases inside,” she said.

Casini, who owns Visual Fuel Design, a graphic design and branding company, said she got excited about including Faragasso's work "because he's a renowned artist."

Faragasso, who enjoys painting scenes of Central Park and upstate Woodstock, will be showcasing oil paintings of landscapes, winter scenes and science fiction illustrations, which, he said, is how got into art.

“I was very much into mysticism and outer space and paranormal,” said Faragasso, who has authored several books including “Mastering Drawing the Human Figure From Life, Memory and Imagination."

Jack Sorrentino, a trustee of the Malverne Chamber of Commerce and Faragasso’s cousin, suggested to him that he submit his art.

“In my childhood, I knew he was an artist,” Sorrentino, 70, a village resident, said. “I used to see the work he did for family members, but he went on to do magnificent work. He’s very diversified.”

Denise Acerra, of Hempstead, said though her uncle is showcasing work, some of it can't be sold because his paintings are like “his children.”

“He has thousands of paintings that he never wanted to part with or even really show anybody,” said Acerra, 65, who takes care of his work.

Faragasso, who has not painted since falling on a city street in Manhattan while walking home to his fourth-story walk-up apartment on East 55th Street and relocated to Garden City in March 2020, said he hopes when people look at his art, they “see the beauty of it.”

“[Art] should have a kind of mystery about it, something that intrigues people,” he said.