Beloved Local Artist Closes Gallery In Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — The Sirens' Song Gallery has closed its doors.

The gallery, located at 516 Main St. in Greenport, closed this week, said owner and artist Caroline Waloski.

"I will still be working in my studio but will no longer be showing other artists," she said in a social media post Tuesday. "I want to thank all the artists from the area and around the world who have contributed to the beautiful and meaningful work shown here. I hope to be showing some of my own work in our North Fork galleries and the doors to the studio will be open by special appointment or for pop up events. Thank you all for your support."

In an interview with Patch, Waloski explained her reasons for shuttering the space. "The time had come to get back into my own studio. I also wanted more free weekend time to spend with my granddaughters. They are 3 and 5 years old — I want to be able to attend all their ballet recitals. Working on mounting exhibits and having openings started to interfere with being part of their world," she said.

The Sirens' Song Gallery experience has been deeply rewarding, Waloski said. "I really enjoyed working with artists and introducing their work on the North Fork. I had some really great artists that were showing at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City and the Smithsonian, as well as other fine galleries in New York City," she said.

Over the years, Waloski created the graphics and promotion for the Greenport Holiday Festival, for which a poster appeared on the Hampton Jitney. She also has long been involved with the Greenport Gallery Walks.

Waloski created the Merry Merfolk Parade, a highlight of the annual Maritime Festival; the event is supported by Cornell Cooperative Extension's marine program — and is something she will continue to grow, she said. "I plan on expanding on the Merry Merfolk Parade into something bigger and entertaining for all ages," she said.

Looking back, Waloski said she wishes that the Southold and Greenport school districts "had taken advantage of the exhibits held at the Sirens' Song. Their art classes would have benefitted by seeing important contemporary art without having to travel. Hopefully, in the future, class trips can be scheduled to some of the remaining galleries on the North Fork."

Personally, Waloski said she looks forward to her pop up shows — and to what her own future as an artist holds.

"I'll create, let someone else hang the show. Hopefully, I will be invited to exhibit in some of the other galleries on the North Fork. It has been a wonderful experience and I got to meet so many wonderful people through the gallery," she said.