Queens artist debuts new work in Little Neck
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A new exhibit featuring the works of artist Galina
Galmer opens to the public this Friday in Little Neck.
From Friday, Nov. 15 until Wednesday, Jan. 1, the
Commonpoint Queens Sam Field Center will display
15 of Galmer’s acrylic and oil paintings. The public can
view the exhibit during the hours when the building is
open.
Growing up in a Jewish family in Moscow, Russia,
Galmer was always surrounded by music and art. She
and her grandfather were particularly close and he continues
to serve as the inspiration for some of her work.
In 1981, Galmer and her husband, silver sculptor
Michael Galmer, left the former Soviet Union and emigrated
to the United States with their young daughter.
They became citizens with the help of local nonprofit
agencies New York Association for New Americans
(NYANA) and the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
(HIAS). Three years later, their son was born.
Before embarking on her artistic career, Galmer
worked as a computer programmer at Queens College
in Flushing. But after 28 years, she decided to follow her
calling and began painting.
“Each painting I create is a portrait of my soul. Each
painting is, therefore, my self-portrait,” Galmer said.
“Being an introvert, it is very difficult to express feelings.
They tend to build up and trigger tension. After
decades of adulthood, I finally found the way to peace
for my soul through art. My emotions became my driving
forces. Painting became my poetry. I found a safe
place for my thoughts and experiences on my canvases.
Using colors, I developed a sense of greater strength and
a new voice for my deepest feelings, fears and insecurities.
Life started to be more colorful and spontaneous. I
Art by Galina Galmer. Courtesy of Commonpoint Queens
feel reborn.”
Galmer’s works will be on view at Commonpoint
Queens Sam Field Center at 58-20 Little Neck Pkwy.
The center’s hours of operation are Sunday from 8 a.m.
to 2 p.m., Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For more information, call Judy Vladimir at 718-225-
6750 ext. 345 or email jvladimir@commonpointqueens.
org.
Reach reporter Jenna Bagcal by e-mail at jbagcal@
qns.com or by phone at (718) 260-2583.
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