About the Fire Island Pines Arts Project

A history of the arts project

David Baker, pianist and composer of Broadway musical scores, wrote and produced musicals in the Pines. Working with FIPPOA, he wrote and staged “Pines Needles” in 1981. Bill Henckley, David’s partner, designed and built sets for those early shows. Sylvan Cole, an internationally recognized art dealer who helped foster the explosion of printmaking and print collecting in the Unites States, was also a historic figure in the growth of the arts in the Pines. John Laub painted landscapes in Fire Island and throughout the northeast. John, working with FIPPOA, produced art shows in the Pines. Tired of working with FIPPOA, David, Bill, Sylvan, and John, founded the Fire Island Pines Arts Project in the summer of 1986. Setting up a table in the harbor on Labor Day weekend, Bill and Sylvan sold membership in the nascent Arts Project. They raised three thousand dollars from Pines residents and FIPAP was born. With the mission to be integral to the creative life of our community and to aspire, through the production of accessible quality performing and fine arts events and activities, to reflect and encourage our community’s cultural vitality.

FIPAP’s first biennial art show, which continues today, featuring Pines artist, was produced by Sylvan at a bayfront home in 1987. The Arts Project range of events continues to grow and includes our annual musical, live performances by renown musicians, singers, and comedians, curated film exhibitions, artist salons, artist residencies, home and garden tours, and fashion shows. Most recently, in 2022, FIPAP, in association with New York Theatre Barn, ran a writers’ residency workshop called Barn on Fire. It was a huge success and garnered national recognition.