Rock and roll artists on display in Jamesport

It may be an art show, but the value of these photos, paintings and drawings goes beyond visual appeal: It’s the music made by the artists and photographers that pulls in the crowd.

The Rock Art Show, which has been touring the country since the early ’90s, was on display this weekend in Jamesport, set up in the barn at the Jedediah Hawkins Inn, and the chance to view the art of famous rock and rollers drew hundreds of visitors.

“It’s fun, cool, unusual,” said Suzanna Wolfson, the sales manager at WEHM, the Long Island radio station that sponsored the event. “Our listeners come from all over – some all the way out from Manhattan – to look at this stuff.”

There were over one hundred pieces of artwork featured in the exhibit, and they were all available to purchase. Elton John, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were among the many rock musicians smiling, playing instruments and posing in the photographs and paintings lining the exhibit.

Scott Segelbaum, the owner of the Philadelphia-based company that puts on the exhibit, explained that every piece of artwork in the show comes directly from the photographer or artist that created the piece of artwork.

“It guarantees authenticity,” he said. “People appreciate that.”  

Segelbaum has been involved with the show since its conception in 1992, when he opened it in San Francisco. It has since toured from coast to coast, working with local radio stations, such as WEHM, and visiting between 20 to 30 cities every year.

“It’s a perfect fit,” said Wolfson of the station’s relationship with Segelbaum. “Our listeners are interested in these artists. We always get a great response. People love it.”

Also present at the exhibit was Ron Campbell, a 71-year-old Australian cartoonist who was an animator for the 1968 film Yellow Submarine and who also directed the 1960s animated television series “The Beatles.” Campbell is also well known for his work on other popular cartoons, like The Flintstones, The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo and The Rugrats.

“It makes it all worth it when I create something that can make a little kid somewhere laugh and giggle,” said Campbell with a smile.

Segelbaum said he invites Campbell, who currently lives in Arizona, to come to about eight shows every year because people appreciate the work he’s done as a cartoonist. “Ron doesn’t realize it, but he’s such a big part of everyone’s childhood,” said Segelbaum.

This weekend was not the first time that the Rock Art Show has been on Long Island, but it is the first that it has used Jedediah Hawkins as a venue. “We usually go to wineries,” explained Segelbaum, “but they were all booked up this year, and I’m glad that they were.” He gestured around the barn with its high ceiling, tall windows and wooden floor. “This is the best place we’ve ever done a show. The space, the vibe – it’s all perfect.”

RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.

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