A pair of spectacular Huntington UFSD student-artists have been tapped to display their artwork in the Huntington Arts Council’s Nightmare on Main Street exhibit.
Huntington High School artists Emma Waters and Abigail Simon will both exhibit exceptional pieces in the show, which runs from October 22 through November 3 at the Main Street Gallery at 213 Main Street in Huntington village. A reception is scheduled for October 29 from 4-7 p.m.
Ms. Waters and Ms. Simon are both studying with Huntington art teacher Kasmira Mohanty. Their creativity continues to stun and their skills have improved sharply over the years.
“This particular piece of artwork, titled ‘Milly, Peep and Edgar’ was inspired by digital illustrators who base their work on dark art and pop surrealism,” said Ms. Waters in an artist’s statement that appears with her work. “Typically, dark art refers to depictions of horrific acts and macabre scenes, shown in mysterious ways, often using surreal elements. I chose to put a twist on this, keeping a surrealist element while going for a more childlike approachability. Rather than trying to get the viewer to stop and think, which is the goal of many dark art pieces, I wanted to invite the viewer into an imagined world. I was also inspired by pop surrealism, a visual arts movement from the 1970s that took inspiration from underground subcultures such as skateboarding culture, punk music, underground comics and others, which remains in use by today’s pop surrealist artists. I also drew additional inspiration from Japanese Kawaii culture and its subcultures such as kimo-kawaii, which combines the cute aspects of its parent culture with more grotesque and creepy elements.”
The annual show is always open to all student-artists in grades 6-12 across Long Island. The pieces on display were picked by Huntington Arts Council officials.
“My piece is titled ‘La Mujer de las Flores’ and is based on the idea of the Day of the Dead and the cycle between life and death,” said Ms. Simon in an artist’s statement that accompanies her work. The bright colors and flora juxtapose the grim features of the skull; a blatant symbol of departure. This was created using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as other mediums.”
The Main Street Gallery is open on Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment at other times. Call in advance for visitation on Saturday and Sunday.
Nightmare on Main is a themed show. Long Island students in grades 6-12 were asked to submit original artwork reflecting their interpretation of Halloween.
“The Halloween season is full of magic, creativity and inspiration,” according to the Huntington Arts Council. “With the transition of the seasons comes the cooler weather, darker days and bursts of color from the trees; the world around us transforms. We celebrate by turning ourselves into whatever and whoever we’d like to be on October 31. Scary, silly, creepy or beautiful; what would you want to transform yourself into during this time of year?”
The Main Street Gallery is a small, but enchanting depository of art created by those of all ages, including the two Huntington High School teenagers.
This marks the 10th year of the Nightmare on Main initiative. The exhibition has drawn many of the top young artists on Long Island.
“The Halloween season is full of magic, creativity and inspiration,” according to the Huntington Arts Council. “With the transition of the seasons comes the cooler weather, darker days and bursts of color from the trees; the world around us transforms. We celebrate by turning ourselves into whatever and whoever we’d like to be on October 31. Scary, silly, creepy or beautiful; what would you want to transform yourself into during this time of year?”
