Dan Rattiner speaks with April Gornik, North Haven artist and activist – Episode 84
Jun 16, 2022
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April Gornik, North Haven artist and activist, discusses her cultural initiatives in Sag Harbor, including restoring a theater, founding an arts center, and preserving land. The podcast also explores her collaborations in creative residencies, community activism, and urban development struggles in the Hamptons.
April Gornik and her husband contributed to revitalizing Sag Harbor through restoring the cinema and establishing an art center.
Gornik's efforts extend to preserving John Steinbeck's house to create a writers' retreat, promoting literary activities in the community.
Deep dives
April Gornick's Involvement in Revitalizing Sag Harbor
April Gornick has played a significant role in revitalizing Sag Harbor by contributing to various initiatives. She was instrumental in restoring the movie theater, establishing a literary writer's place at a house, and converting a former church into an art center. Gornick's active engagement in these projects demonstrates her commitment to preserving and enhancing the cultural and artistic aspects of Sag Harbor, making notable contributions to the community's development and providing new amenities for residents and visitors.
Preservation Efforts for John Steinbeck's House
April Gornick, along with others, is currently working on preserving John Steinbeck's house in Sag Harbor. The project involves collaborating with partners, including Stony Brook University and the University of Texas at Austin, to establish a writers' retreat at the property. The goal is to secure funding through private individuals, community preservation funds, and university partnerships to acquire the property and create a residency program that honors Steinbeck's legacy and promotes literary activities within the community.
Community Engagement and Educational Programs
Besides her involvement in revitalization and preservation projects, April Gornick focuses on fostering community engagement and educational programs in Sag Harbor. Through initiatives like Knowledge Fridays featuring speakers on diverse topics and hosting museum-quality art shows, Gornick aims to offer a platform for creativity and learning. Additionally, collaborations with local institutions like the cinema and Bay Street emphasize the importance of cultural enrichment and educational experiences for residents and visitors.
Episode 84: This week on the “Dan’s Talks” podcast, Dan speaks with April Gornik, North Haven artist, activist. She and her husband, fellow artist Eric Fischl, have done incredible work in the Village of Sag Harbor, including fundraising to restore the once-burned Sag Harbor Cinema, cofounding The Church arts center and environmental efforts such as preserving land and saving turtles.
Find the “Dan’s Talks” podcast at DansPapers.com/podcast
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