Meet Paul A. Gatto: Farmingdale Artist, Musician and Community Leader

For the past 40 years, Paul A. Gatto has maintained his in Farmingdale and has been an active part of the community. His art is in collections here and abroad.

"The art scene in Farmingdale isn't bad, but we're not in Manhattan here," Gatto said. "I did get an annual outdoor art show called ‘Art in the Park’ off the ground and it should be a continuing event."

Among many influences, he names Rembrandt, Renoir, Cezanne and Sargent. Back in 2001, he was named one of five artists to watch by Newsday and impressively, Gatto is self taught.

 "You really have to like art, it's a struggle," he said. "As a teenager, I was fascinated with oil painting. I am fortunate that I can make a living doing artwork. Anyone who wants to do it, must be devoted to it, otherwise they should keep it as a hobby."

Gatto considers his painting, The Morsel, to be his most major work. It is his version of the Last Supper portrayed on a ten foot long canvas that's currently in Washington, DC. 

 The National Museum of Catholic Art and Library commissioned the work when they discovered the five eight-foot long paintings at in Seaford, NY that were dedicated in 1993.

"I believe an artist should handle subject matter in a style that illustrates it best," he said. "I do not support 'sameness' in a body of work. Nor, I do I not hold with those who feel that methods of the past should be relegated to the past. Instead, the established schools of painting should be renewed and amplified. I also maintain that an artist should have a patron who acts as a catalyst and collaborator of something. Much of the great art was inspired by the challenge that the patron presented."

Gatto has painted a variety of genres for his patrons, from interpretations of  people's dreams to classic, impressionism and the abstract.

"Gatto is a wonderful and experienced artist," said Christina Cox, the executive director and founder of the National Museum of Catholic Art and Library. "We gave him an entire gallery in our museum. His The Morsel painting was here in Washington for six months and it was well received by everybody. His work is captivating and intriguing, the colors are vibrant and it's also our prize painting in the Museum's collection."

In addition to his artwork, Gatto is very active in the community, with memberships in the Chamber of Commerce, business associations and other clubs. He spent ten of his 22 years on the Board of Trustees at the working to consolidate two storefront branches into one of Long Island's most beautiful libraries.

His talents don't end with art. As a Rotarian and a Paul Harris designee, he entertained at the local nursing home for many years. That same keyboard playing led to sessions at the library every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in a program called

He's accompanied by Neil Ferrarra and Richie Bordonaro and has had others sit in for folks to listen, sing and dance. The Bethpage Library has invited the group to perform there on Tuesdays.

Gatto shows no signs of slowing down. He offers classes for children and adults and demonstrates painting for art groups and clubs. 

For more information on the Paul Gatto Gallery, Inc., visit his official website.