'Art Belongs To Everyone': Outdoor Arts Festival Returns To Long Island

NORTH BABYLON, NY — A free art festival open to the public is returning to Long Island on Friday.

The Long Island Public Arts Festival, a collaboration between the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and Colored Colors, returns to Phelps Lane Park on Friday for its second year. Featuring over 40 artworks from New York-based artists displayed on life-size outdoor prisms, the exhibition will transform the park into a dynamic open-air gallery from June 6 through Sept. 1.

According to organizers, the free, public installation offers a unique way for communities to engage with visual art in an accessible and immersive setting. The Opening Celebration will take place on Friday, June 6, from 5 to 9 p.m., where visitors can meet featured artists and enjoy a festive evening of creativity and connection.

"Our goal is to expand access to the arts by bringing powerful, personal artwork directly into public spaces," said Jose Tutiven, Founder and CEO of Colored Colors. "We’re proud to provide a platform where even the smallest work of art can be experienced on a life-size scale."

The 2025 festival grew significantly from last year, with over 60 submissions received. Artists were selected through an open call and reviewed by a panel of peers. Many of the chosen participants are new to both hosting organizations, making this year’s event a celebration of fresh perspectives.

"We believe in art for the community, by the community," said Jason Jenkins, BACCA associate director. "This festival reflects a deep investment in local culture and brings beauty to a public space in an inclusive and lasting way."

Organizers said LIPAF is "designed not only as a visual experience but also as a cultural movement."

With plans to expand throughout Long Island in future years, organizers envision a traveling model that will bring contemporary public art to a wide range of communities.

"Art belongs to everyone," Tutiven said. "We hope this inspires others to reimagine the role of art in daily life and to create their own opportunities for creative expression."

The festival is made possible with generous support from the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and local partners including the Town of Babylon and the Lindenhurst Business Improvement District.

Visit Long Island Public Arts Festival for more details.