Two Huntington High School art teachers are among a select group of artists chosen to display their work at the Heckscher Museum of Art’s Long Island Biennial exhibit, which opened on August 4 and runs through November 11.
Current Huntington teacher Kasmira Mohanty and retired faculty member Amy Worth, who owns and operates a gallery in Greenport are among the 51 artists chosen to exhibit their work. The show attracted 351 submissions.
The show is being juried by Christine Berry of Berry Campbell Gallery in New York City, Robert Carter, a Nassau Community College art professor and Bobbi Coller, an independent art historian and curator. The trio selected the works now on exhibit.
“Paintings, sculpture, photography, works on paper and mixed media work encompassing diverse styles, subject matter and themes are included, representing a lively cross-section of current artistic practice on Long Island,” according to the show’s website.
“The submissions represent a broad and diverse range of work in terms of style, medium and subject, reflecting the vibrant and sophisticated art scene that exists on Long Island,” according to an online overview of the show. “The Heckscher Museum is honored to engage so many artists in its activities, fulfilling a crucial aspect of our mission.”
An open house with the artists is set for Sunday, November 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a jazz performance scheduled for 3 p.m.
Mrs. Worth’s oil on board painting is titled Orient Ice. It measures 6x6 inches. Ms. Mohanty’s solarplate print is
“High school art departments do not typically support their art teacher’s own art practices,” Ms. Worth said. “This is done more on the college level. When I taught in Huntington I spent a summer week in a plein air workshop in Provence, France. The district at first rejected my application for professional development credit for this educational experience because it was not accredited. An exception was made, I believe wisely as I was a better teacher for the new skills I’d gained. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that a district with a rich art program, such as Huntington, has not one but two of its educators chosen in a competitive field for a museum show. I’m honored to have been part of a program that supports its teachers both as educators and artists.”
Kasmira Mohanty
Ms. Mohanty has been a Huntington art teacher since September 2001. A graduate of Sachem High School, she holds degrees in photography, fine arts and education from Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY Purchase and Dowling College. She is also a SCALA executive board member and a member of the New York State Art Teachers Assn. and the New York State Media Arts Teachers Assn.
The veteran Huntington faculty member has developed an instructional program that produces students who are capable of creating award winning artwork. In addition, several of her students have gone on to full time careers using their digital art talents.
Amy Worth
Ms. Worth and her husband, Tom Payne opened an art gallery and framing shop in Greenport in 2008. The South Street Gallery has become a popular place as its reputation has grown.
Ms. Worth obtained an undergraduate degree at Queens College and a master’s degree at Long Island University. She worked closely with fellow Huntington art faculty colleague Kristin Singer as the two helped organize and give rise to the school’s fashion design and illustration program.
Ms. Worth retired from teaching in Huntington at the close of the school year in June 2015.
