Tracy Todd Hunter
Arts Administrator
A Patchogue, NY native, Tracy Todd Hunter is an Arts Administrator, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Liaison, Culture Bearer, Historian and an advocate for artists. His creative endeavors include writing, drawing, photography, jewelry, quilt making, event planning, interior design and considers astrology one of his favored interests. He is conjointly a Community Organizer and the Founder/Curator for “Of Colors ~ A Creative Collective."
Tracy has been the curator of numerous engaging and well received exhibitions and events that bring people together in friendship, encourage diversity, inclusion, understanding, volunteer spirit and create opportunities for artists. His wish is to include all and offer a platform for established and emerging artists, youth and those with special needs to showcase their artwork or talents in mainstream exhibits. He is noted for bridging together people from his sizable multicultural network via the diverse events he showcases.
The “Of Colors Black History Exhibition & Diversity Celebration” is held annually and conceived by Tracy. Though Patchogue has a small African American population, the exhibition attracts hundreds including distinguished artists and is acknowledged as a premier community affair. Tracy is the curator and pioneer of multiple Black History and Hispanic Heritage Month exhibits throughout Long Island including the annual “Of Colors Latin Exhibition” that extols the contributions of the Latino Community. These events have served as models for organizations that have established like-minded cultural heritage programs in their communities. Tracy works with, represents/manages various artists including visual, performing, singers, songwriters, musicians and showcases work by adept autistic artists, notably Alec Leto. His exhibitions have included Women's History Month, a Barber-Hip Hop and Art presentation, Juneteenth, a children's art and holiday show, collaborations with DJ’s, musicians, dancers and poets. Hunter works closely with the acclaimed Long Island Black Artists Association that has historical roots for Black artists.
Tracy instituted the Of Colors Celebration Committee which is made up of artists and community leaders. Their mission is to honor and recognize citizens and volunteers throughout the year for their noteworthy achievements, volunteer spirit, contributions, philanthropy and acts of kindness. Notable honorees include world renowned Beatboxer, Hip Hop Artist, Actor, DJ and philanthropist Biz Markie (Marcel Theo Hall) who Hunter lived alongside and shared a friendship with during his time in Patchogue. Tracy advocated and succeeded in having a street styled, "Biz Markie Way" in honor of the "Just A Friend" Rapper after his death in 2021. The Mayor and Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved the resolution which is only the second time a person has had a street named after them in the annals of Patchogue's history.
Touted as the "Queen of House Music", Barbara Tucker was also honored for her contributions to the music industry. Other esteemed honorees are artist, actress, author Tina Andrews, whose artwork was on display in Of Colors exhibits; Captain Kirk Douglas of The Roots who performs daily on The Jimmy Fallon Show; acclaimed journalist and news reporter Melba Tolliver, Freestyle Singer, "Soave" (Martinez), Music Publisher Travis McFetridge, "DA" formerly known as Diamond The Artist of EPMD fame and gifted NY City artist and Illustrator Alvaro whose work also adorned the walls of Artspace. Chef & TV personality, Barret Beyer, esteemed Opera Singer Franc D'Ambrosio also known for his roles in The Godfather Part III and the Broadway Play, The Phantom of The Opera was also celebrated and his artwork put on view in exhibitions curated by Tracy. Two-time Emmy Award winning set designer Tom Tamborello who won for his Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for the Nate Berkus show and his creative work on The Martha Stewart Show has also been recognized. Distinguished TV news reporter Archie Snowden who also earned an Emmy has been an honoree. Dr. James Hayward a renowned entrepreneur and scientist is included in this outstanding group of honorees. Martin Tankleff, a wrongly convicted Long Island resident who spent 17 years imprisoned, was also honored for his dedicated work on behalf of the Innocence Project. A plethora of hometown heroes who are well deserving of recognition have been lauded and received homage as well including Dr. Georgette Grier-Key, Eastville Historical Society, Dr. Nichelle Rivers/Niri Art, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner, Rodney Harrison, Suffolk County Sheriff, Dr. Errol Toulon, Jr., Dr. Odette Hall, Suffolk County Medical Examiner, Suffolk County Health Commissioner, Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone, and the Executive Director of the Patchogue Arts Council, Beth Giacummo.
Tracy was recommended for and then invited by the Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding to serve as Curator representing Suffolk County, NY for "Embracing Our Differences". The exhibition is held in multiple states around the U.S. and internationally. Hunter was also courted by the Congressional Representative/Aides of NY01 to curate/judge and coordinate judging of The Congressional Art Competition for High School Students. During his 9-year tenure Tracy was successful in having the contest exhibited in Artspace to give the students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in a gallery setting. The winner of this national contest held by all Congressional districts in the U.S. earned the winner a trip to Washington DC where their artwork is displayed in the Capitol Rotunda for a year along with the offering of a scholarship to an art school. Hunter is a certified Grants Writer and has received grants from NYFA, NYSCA & PAC's PEACE Project.
Tracy has been committed over a decade to service and volunteerism with Artspace serving as his platform. He has been honored by and the recipient of local, state and national awards from politicians including Congressional, the NY State Senate, Suffolk County Legislature, Brookhaven Town Council, the Village of Patchogue, The Long Island Advance and Long Island Wins. He was inducted into the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame Class of 2023 as an Art Curator for his creative and volunteer contributions. Tracy has been asked to voice and share information about vaccines during the pandemic, speak and advocate on behalf of social justice concerns along with bringing to the forefront health and wellness inequities in communities of color. He was a panelist on a podcast titled "Access and Opportunity" regarding minimal opportunities for artists of color in specific locales. He also won the inaugural Brookhaven NAACP Trailblazer Award for Arts & Humanities & Environmental Justice in 2023.
Tracy Todd Hunter was appointed to the Greater Patchogue Foundation Cultural Heritage Committee that serves as the fiscal sponsor for Of Colors. He is also a board member of the Town of Brookhaven Black History Commission, the NAACP/Brookhaven Town Branch and is the Chair of the Health & Wellness Committee. He also sits on The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center Advisory Board, Suffolk County Sheriff's Community Advisory Board and the Biz Markie Just a Friend Foundation. Tracy also serves as Co- Chair on the Suffolk County Police Department’s Precinct Level Advisory Board for the 5th precinct. Precinct Level Advisory Boards (PLABs) are an organized approach to cultivate long-lasting, problem- solving partnerships between Suffolk County Police and the public. PLAB members span a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences, liaise between their community and precinct to facilitate lines of communication between both parties and assist with enhancing relationships between the police and the community. He was in consideration for membership in the NY Chapter of The Grammys Recording Academy In 2022.
In 2011 Tracy was selected to live in Artspace, was a member of the first Patchogue Artspace Liaisons Committee (PAL) and has been active since the inception of Artspace Patchogue. He was elected as the Gallery Manager & Exhibition Committee Chair for the 2014–2015 season. Artspace Patchogue earned “The Bethpage Best Art Gallery on Long Island Award” in 2015 due to the efforts of Tracy and Artspace Patchogue artists. He was awarded a proclamation from Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri “for his dedication to the Arts and his tireless efforts to make Artspace a place for the Arts to be seen, developed and enjoyed.”
Tracy is a 2015 Artspace Artist Award recipient.
