Several hundred pieces of artwork from approximately 500 students were displayed for the Division Avenue High School’s fourteenth annual Art Show on May 21.
Highlighted artist Olivia Kavanaugh, whose portrait entitled “Fears of Clown” was used for pamphlets and posters to promote the art exhibit, said she channelled her fears for her interpretation of a self-portrait.
“My biggest fear is to be laughed at, so I portrayed myself as a clown in the spotlight,” Kavanaugh said.
Using her piece to promote the exhibit, Kavanaugh said she was both humbled and honored to learn that her painting was selected.
“I’m so honored and stunned,” she said. “Our school is so full of amazing and talented artists. It’s the highest honor I could ever imagine.”
Each year, senior students with artistic ability, creativity, work ethic, and commitment, are awarded with the distinct honor of being “featured artists” in the show. This year ten students were honored, including: Jessica Anderson, Amanda Holtz, Danielle Kramer, Lindsay Malings,
Ashley Orth, Miranda Pedroza, Lydia-Idana Pless, Steven Sculco, Hannah Spiegel, and Stephanie Wagner.
Throughout the day, students volunteered their time to setting up and decorating the exhibition. As art students showcased the toils of their hard work, members of the Division Avenue Chorus and Chamber Orchestra treated guests with music as they perused the different exhibits.
Art classes featured in this year’s show included Advanced Placement studio in art, ceramics, photography, studio in art, studio lighting, graphic design, art portfolio, studio in crafts, digital photography, drawing and painting, studio in sculpture, and fashion illustration. In addition, a select group of Division Avenue alums came back to the school to feature some of their artwork in this year’s show.
Several students have received scholarships to colleges due to their work in the arts. Students also participate in art contests and exhibitions throughout the year including the All-County Art Exhibition at Adelphi University, Senator Kemp Hannon’s “Best in Town” Photography
Contest, and Long Island’s Best Young Artists at Heckscher Museum.
Division Avenue High School puts a great amount of emphasis on the arts. They recently added a brand new art suite and new art classes were also added into the curriculum. This year, the school added a new class called “fashion illustration” which will be taught by art teacher
Tim Ryan. The class will allow students to learn how to draw the fashion, face and figure and explore techniques in order to design clothing for men, women and children.
“We are definitely supported by the community and the school district and the board,” art teacher Loretta Cordiello said. “Our supplies and our space is beautiful.”
