Garden City Insider of the Month: Suzie Alvey

Inside Garden City is proud to present our next Insider of the Month: Suzie Alvey. 

Susie Alvey is a GC native. She graduated from GCHS (Class of '70) where she met her husband of 40 years. She and her high school sweetheart, Robert, still reside in Garden City and have three delightful daughters.  

Susie was first inspired in Locust School first grade when Mrs. Koenig, a local artist, demonstrated a floral oil painting. She allowed the children to each do several strokes of paint on canvas and Suzie was hooked!

Here Susie elaborates on her professional background and her notable career:

I am a freelance artist and recently had a solo show in November and a separate group show in April at Barnes Gallery with my paintings and photography. I paint in oils and watercolors, featuring beautiful local landscapes. With my love of architecture, I have been commissioned to paint hundreds of treasured house portraits from San Francisco to Switzerland. My paintings and drawings are in many collections, including those of famous author, Nelson DeMille and Garth Snow, the manager of the Islanders team and more. My portraits in oil and pastel have won art show awards, including the National Art League, the Art League of Nassau County and the Independent Art Society. I am also a freelance photographer and writer. 

This painting was in the Garden City Public Library for the exhibit Suzie curated in March, "The History of St. Paul's School." 

I received my Bachelor of Art in studio art and minors in education and English from the State University of Albany. Since college, I have studied with Dan Slapo, Hall of Fame and Master Pastelist, Pastel Society of America (PSA); John Rogers, AWS (American Watercolor Society); Marion Brown, AWS and Howard Rose, oil painter. I have been a juried member of the Art League of Nassau County since 1987 and am a juried member of the National Art League since 2014.

I received the President Barack Obama Award for Volunteerism in 2012. I also received the “Women of Distinction Award” from Assemblyman Tom McKevitt in 2009. An active volunteer, Mayor John Watras appointed me Garden City Village Historian in 2013. I have worked with many charities over the years: board member of the Garden City Historical Society, board member of the Art League of Nassau County, a director at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary/ Tanners Pond Environmental Center and photographer at my church. I have also contributed many prizes to local charities. A house portrait of the winner's house is a raffle at the PTA Dinner this month. (We have to support our schools)

This is a commission from the North Fork.

Below, Suzie answers our GC Insider of the Month Qs:

What inspires you? 

I'm inspired by many things -The beauty of a landscape, smiles of friends and family, my hard-working fellow artists, people doing good works here in town: our Mayor, John Watras, our Village Administrator, Ralph Suozzi, our Village Clerk, Brian Ridgway and our Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Althea Robinson, as well as the ministers of the Garden City Community Church- Rev. Jim Adelmann, Rev. Lynn Sullivan, Rev. Ian Rottenberg and Licensed Minister George Bashian, who work miracles in helping our congregation. Also, people who work on a national level, such as environmentalist, Sandra Steingraber; journalist, Bill Moyers and artist, John Singer Sargent (1856-1925).

Favorite restaurant in GC? 

There are many good restaurants in Garden City but my favorite is Walk Street with their friendly staff. We like to go for dinner and a glass of wine. It's always fun to meet friends there.

Favorite store in GC?

My favorite store in Garden City is Lord & Taylor for its beautiful clothing.

What do you love most about GC?

There are many things to list. One is what others have said in this column- the great people who live here: all the people who volunteer and work hard to make Garden City the best place to live. 

Another thing I love is the great school system we have. The teachers and administration are terrific! 

The Garden City Historical Society Museum is a treasure. I encourage all to visit The Museum and the A. T. Stewart Exchange Shop.

Favorite thing to do in GC?

My favorite thing to do in town is to meet friends and family for a nice dinner at Walk Street, Seventh Street Cafe, Calagero's, Taku and any of the other great restaurants. I always appreciate good food and a friendly staff.

I also like to spend time at the Garden City Public Library where I do my research for articles. The employees and administration are always helpful and genial.

Favorite outdoor place in GC?

My favorite outdoor place is the Garden City Bird Sanctuary/Tanners Pond Environmental Center with all the activities we have. I enjoy the Benefit Yard Sale, which will take place on Saturday, April 25th. It's a great place to walk too.

What would you change about GC?

I would like more emphasis on the cultural arts such as art, music, history and theater. I encourage residents to attend concerts, art shows and lectures at Adelphi University, local galleries and Garden City High School. 

I would also like to see the St. Paul's issue resolved in favor of saving our architecturally and historically significant building.

Advice for Inside Garden City readers: 

Please volunteer! You never know what new adventures and friends you'll experience!

Thank you Susie and thank you for reading Inside Garden City. Please follow us on Instagram and Facebook.