(by Karen Loew)

On Thursday, June, 7th, members of Salmagundi, the Coast Guard Art Program, the U.S. Coast Guard and the New York Council of the Navy League gathered to celebrate the transfer of the 2012 COGAP Collection to the U.S. Coast Guard and launch the 2012 COGAP Exhibition Tour. The evening kicked off with a gala reception in the parlor followed by the formal presentation, acceptance and awards ceremony in the main gallery.

After a brief welcome by SCNY president Claudia Seymour and the presentation of colors, Rear Admiral J. Robert Lunney (U.S. Navy – retired), president of the New York Council of the Navy League, delivered his remarks. Next came special guest of honor Rear Admiral Linda Fagan, USCG Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, offering a glowing tribute to the artists of the Coast Guard Art Program and their work.

SCNY president Seymour was charged with presenting the newest paintings by artists of COGAP to the Coast Guard while Admiral Fagan dutifully accepted on the Coast Guard’s behalf. Artists whose work was accepted received public service commendation certificates from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard.

George Gray Award for Outstanding Artistic Excellence: A jury comprised of Fine Art Connoisseur editor Peter Trippi, Admiral Fagan and SCNY president Seymour selected “Bringing Her Home“, a watercolor by Louis Stephen Gadal, as the winner of the 2012 George Gray Award.

Sponsor: As in past years, the opening reception was underwritten by the New York Council of the Navy League. The Jeevan D’Souza duo featuring Miguel Mateus on bass provided music.

2012 COGAP Exhibition: The 2012 Exhibition, which is comprised of the the 2012 Collection augmented with selected pieces from previous years, runs through June 15th, after which it moves downtown to Federal Hall National Memorial where it will be on view from June 20th through August 9th.

About COGAP: The Coast Guard Art Program uses fine art as an outreach tool for educating diverse audiences about the United States Coast Guard. Through displays at museums, libraries and patriotic events, Coast Guard art tells the story of the service’s missions, heroes and history. Art is also displayed in offices of members of Congress, senior officials of the executive branch of government and other military services and at Coast Guard locations throughout the United States. COGAP artists, most of whom are professional artists, volunteer their time and talents to help COGAP fulfill its missions. Today, the collection comprises 1,800 works.