Huntington High School’s digital artists kicked off the competitive season by capturing impressive honors.
Aniyah Toro, Julia Giles, Joshua Silverstein and Josefina Fasolino competed in this year’s Suffolk County Art Leaders Association All County & Scholarship Show at Babylon’s Old Town Hall and garnered the respect of judges and a crowd of art lovers.
Julia Giles' artwork titled Dreams.
The exhibition and competition is an annual event held in partnership with the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts. Top student-artists from across the county were invited to submit artwork in categories ranging from drawing, painting, 3D and photography to mixed media, digital media and scholarship divisions.
A reception was held earlier this month where Ms. Fasolino vied against 11 accomplished artists in the scholarship division. The Huntington senior won third place honors and a $250 stipend.
Ms. Toro, Ms. Giles and Mr. Silverstein competed in a field of 42 in the All County section. Awards included $100 for Best in Show, $50 for top honors in each of the entry categories and three honorable mention awards of $25 apiece.
Mr. Silverstein walked away with the win in the digital media category, receiving a $50 prize.
The awards were presented by Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts Board of Directors President Shawn Cullinane and Babylon Town Councilmen Terence McSweeney and Councilman DuWayne Gregory
Ms. Mohanty has been a leading artist and teacher in Long Island’s digital arts educational community for the past 19 years. “I’m always so impressed with my students’ abilities and willingness to put themselves out there,” she said. I’m glad my kiddos trust themselves enough to reach beyond the walls of Huntington High School.
The SCALA show’s artwork was exhibited on the second level of Babylon’s Old Town Hall at 47 West Main Street.
Kasmira Mohanty Profile
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.
The Huntington Art Honor Society faculty advisor from 2008 through 2017, Ms. Mohanty’s digital arts program has been nationally recognized via articles published in School Arts Magazine, locally through News 12 Varsity and in various other educational venues. Outside of the classroom she is a prize winning exhibiting artist and freelance graphic designer.
