Huntington’s Artists Win Awards at SCALA Show
February 15, 2023
Three Huntington High School artists won awards at this year’s Suffolk County Art Leaders Association All County & Scholarship Show at Old Babylon Town Hall on West Main Street.
Sensational artwork created by sophomore John Song and juniors Eli Soric and Jordan Ross garnered honors at last Saturday’s awards ceremony. Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer was among those speaking at the ceremony. The show is one of the highlights of the year for Long Island art students.
The Huntington teenagers captured the respect of a panel of seasoned and discerning judges. The exhibition and competition is an annual event held in partnership with the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts.
Ms. Ross won the video/animation category for her Abstract GIF animation “Transitions.” The award carried with it a $50.00 stipend. To watch her video animation see the video below:
In his first art competition, Ms. Song garnered a honorable mention award for his digital media piece titled “Not of Free Will.” The award included a stipend of $25.00.
Mr. Soric, who was also participating in his first art competition, captured the BACCA Choice Award for his digital work titled “Balancing Act. The award included a $50 stipend.”
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. The All County exhibition includes 35 separate pieces of art, indicating just how selective the show is and how good the artists are.
The three Huntington artists are studying with veteran teacher Kasmira Mohanty, herself an award winning and well-known artist.
Ms. Mohanty has been with the district since 2001 and in that time she has developed a program that regularly produces students who are capable of creating award winning artwork. Several of her students have gone on to full time careers using their digital art talents. She holds degrees in photography, fine arts and education from Fashion Institute of Technology, SUNY Purchase College and Dowling College.
