That the Congregational Church of Patchogue on Main Street is already a riveting architectural icon is a given. But on Thursday, Dec. 10, Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 5 to 10 p.m., it became a joyous backdrop bathed in stunning projections, featuring a gingerbread house that emerged on its ethereal front stained-glass window, along with locals popping in and out of the holiday scene.
Patchogue Arts Council executive director Beth Giacummo-Lachacz, who also serves on the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce Holiday Committee and Viper Studios Inc., did it again. This time it was “MoCA L.I.ights Merry and Bright,” the last Viper collaboration of the season.
Ah, but there may be more to come next year. Read on.
“The beauty of this is that it took place over a few days and draws people in to do shopping and dining as well,” said Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce executive director David Kennedy of the three-minute loop. “This was very festive and fun for families to enjoy.”
A lively snowball fight between Congregational Church pastor Rev. Dwight Wolter and mayor Paul Pontieri took place. Suffolk County Legislature presiding officer Rob Calarco and Giacummo-Lachacz popped in and out. Even Kennedy made an appearance.
“We were doing this for people who may celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Festivus for the Rest of Us,” said Wolter, adding its interfaith inclusion.
“Mapping is what set this apart from an everyday projection on a large screen,” explained Giacummo-Lachacz. “This was a 20,000-lumens Panasonic laser projector we used. It gave us a bright light on the church because the stone is a brown color.” Nick Graci, the artist, was the content developer for Viper Studios. Benny Miggs contributed his time gratis to creating a green screen video, enabling local officials to make their debut doing silly things.
“We’ve been planning this for 18 months,” Giacummo-Lachacz said. “Then COVID hit, but we said, ‘This is something we really need.’”
The church wasn’t the only treat this weekend. Strolling west, there was “Art on the Marquee,” then a long block farther, the Carnegie Library was transformed with four animated facades, the “Carnival Peace Wall” by artist Kelley Bell.
“It represented distinct geographical areas of visual traditions,” explained Giacummo-Lachacz. “Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Mexico and South America and Ghana.”
Thanks to The Greater Patchogue Chamber Young Professionals, their donation paid for Bell’s piece.
“That, in combination of Elf On the Shelf, has given us one of the most exciting holiday seasons ever,” said Giacummo-Lachacz. “We knew we couldn’t do the ball drop and Winter Wonderland, so this is how we’re ending the season.”
Wolter said the timing was perfect. “It gets the conversation going, this interaction between a house of faith, the chamber, the county legislation and Museum of Contemporary Art Long Island,” he added.
Kennedy was asked if the MoCA projections were a sign of things to come. The projection equipment, which was rented, isn’t an inexpensive investment: it’s $160,000. He talked about grants and fundraising, so that the visuals might be enjoyed next year at events such as Alive After Five.
“The Patchogue Art Council’s goal is to work with the village and the chamber to fundraise to buy these giant projectors,” concurred Giacummo-Lachacz. “We want to continue to bring contemporary art into projection and to work with Viper.”
Right after the projection discussion, Wolter volunteered the sanctuary.
“We can hold the fundraiser here,” he said enthusiastically, not missing a beat.
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