Who We Are

Founded in 1986 by a small group of professional visual artists, LIC Artists, Inc (LICA) was initially established to showcase its members through Open Studios exhibitions. Thanks to the leadership of painter Margret Dreikausen and the hard work and expertise of its early members, LICA began to grow in size and scope, becoming incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1989. Since its inception, LICA has offered its members a wide range of benefits and opportunities, including:

• Participation in Annual Open Studios events and exhibitions in selected locations throughout the Borough of Queens
• Representation on its website: www.licartists.org
• E-mail newsletters and updates
• Seminars and other programs on issues that are of vital interest to artists and the public.

In addition, LICA has created projects and produced events designed to strengthen the cultural life of the community. For example, in keeping with the organization’s goal of educating the public about the visual arts, LICA co-sponsored* a series of seminars and panel discussions at the Silvercup Studios on such informative topics as “New Media in Art: Digital Photography, Computer Graphics, and Polaroid Photographs.”

LIC Artists marked its 20th anniversary in 2006 with a series of celebratory events and exhibitions. As it continues to grow and evolve, LIC Artists collaborates with organizations and cultural venues to present innovative and exciting programming for the benefit of the arts community and the general public.

*With The Queens Council on the Arts

Board Members:

Chris Vilardi, President
Marilee Cooper, Vice President
Leonora Retsas, Treasurer
Carol Crawford, Secretary
Lilian R. Engel
Karen Fitzgerald
Marc Leavitt, Esq.

Advisory Board:

Stephen Cooper, Esq.
Ellen Day