Five Huntington High School student-artists have pieces on display at the Heckscher Museum of Art’s Long Island’s Best Young Artists exhibition this spring.
Jonah Anastos' digital art piece titled 4² is on display at the LI Best exhibit.
Huntington’s Jonah Anastos, Vivienne LaVertu, Andrew McKenzie, Abraham Rodriquez and Alexa Splendorio are among the top Long Island artists with work on display at the exhibit, which is now in its 23rd year. The show runs through May 19.
“This juried exhibition provides select students with the unparalleled opportunity to exhibit their artwork in the museum and connect with the broader Long Island community,” according to the Heckscher Museum. “The quality of artwork is exceptional and delivers a professional-level show in a broad range of media, styles, and subjects. Each student has written an artist statement describing their inspiration and artistic process; an image of the ‘inspiration artwork’ is also provided to deepen visual connections.”
Participants in the Long Island’s Best initiative choose a work of art in the Heckscher Museum’s collection as the starting point for their own creative process. The teenagers then interpret the respective pieces through their own art. “The quality of the artwork is exceptional and delivers a professional-level show,” exhibit organizers said.
Each of the pieces in the exhibit is accompanied by an artist’s statement, which explains “the thought process and artistic journey from conception to completion,” according to organizers. “A thumbnail image of the artwork on view in the museum that inspired the student work is also featured.”
A total of 359 student artwork entries from 57 Long Island schools were submitted for jurying. Curator Lisa Chalif and guest juror Robyn Cooper selected 80 pieces in various media for inclusion in the show.
The artwork created by the five gifted Huntington students that is on exhibit includes:
Jonah Anastos
Title: “4²”
Type: Digital art
Grade: 12
Art teacher: Kasmira Mohanty
Vivienne LaVertu
Title: “Rediscovered”
Type: Colored pencil
Grade: 10
Art teacher: Kristin Singer
Andrew McKenzie
Title: “Society”
Type: Ceramic
Grade: 10
Art teacher: Ayallah Jeddah
Abraham Rodriguez
Title: “Muted Emotions”
Type: Digital art
Grade: 11
Art teacher: Kasmira Mohanty
Alexa Splendorio
Title: “Embodiment”
Type: Ceramic
Grade: 10
Art teacher: Ayallah Jeddah
Mr. McKenzie captured the Stepping Stone Award along with an Achievement in Sculpture designation for his dragon ceramic bowl with metallic and various glazes. Ms. Splendorio (abstract painted ceramic vase) and Ms. LaVertu (colored pencil piece) both garnered Huntington Fine Arts Honorable Mention Awards.
The Heckscher Museum is open Wednesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Town of Huntington residents are admitted free on Wednesdays after 2 p.m. and on Saturdays before 1 p.m. Proof of residency is required for free admission.
According to its website, The Heckscher Museum of Art was founded in 1920 by industrialist August Heckscher. The collection is devoted to 19th and 20th century European and American art. In addition, the Museum owns and maintains the Dove/Torr cottage, the home of famed American artist Arthur Dove and his artist-wife Helen Torr. Visit www.heckscher.org or call (631) 351-3250 for more information.
