Art Teacher Nick Matarazzo Celebrates Student Honors
March 26, 2025
It’s all about the kids as far as Huntington alum and Washington and Flower Hill art teacher Nicholas J. Matarazzo is concerned. So when five of his students won honors at this year’s Suffolk County Art Leaders Assn. show in Babylon he was there right alongside each of the youngsters.
Washington second grade Georgina Garrett and third graders Nolan Larkin and Avery Wildt along with Flower Hill second grader Milan Herrera and third grader CC Rogers all won awards.
“The third graders showcased their flower artworks inspired by artist Georgia O’Keeffe,” Mr. Matarazzo explained. “They utilized oil pastels for coloring the flowers and applied various blending techniques to enhance their creations. After completing the pastel work, they added watercolor to paint the backgrounds.”
Ms. Garrett drew inspiration from Jeff Koons, renowned for his large-scale balloon animal sculptures. “Like the third graders, she used oil pastels to craft her piece and finished it with watercolor,” said Mr. Matarazzo, who is also the Blue Devil varsity baseball team’s assistant coach.
Mr. Herrera created a work featuring cut paper, inspired by mosaic artist Laurel True.
Some of the students' works will be highlighted on SCALA’s website. The youngsters received commemorative pens and certificates recognizing their participation in the gallery.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase the students’ artwork beyond Huntington,” Mr. Matarazzo said. “When I display my own art in a gallery, I always feel excited and proud. I can only imagine the thrill my students experience seeing their work exhibited alongside students from various schools across the island. Witnessing their smiles and families capturing moments in front of their artwork is what it's all about.”
