Harbor Country Day School Hosts 4th Annual Young Illustrators Challenge
St. James, NY, March 24, 2015 - On Saturday, March 21, Harbor Country Day School hosted its 4th Annual Young Illustrators Challenge Artists Reception, featuring artwork from students in kindergarten through 8th grade from school districts across Long Island. Beginning in February 2015, students were invited to submit original artwork that illustrated this year’s theme of “Outer Space.” The 38 pieces of work that were submitted represented various media -- from sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing to printmaking, mixed media and computer art.
A panel of judges consisting of Jacquelyn Lipp, East End artist and art consultant/curator; Jessica Valentin, Long Island artist and artist mentor, and Stephanie Gress, art historian/curator from the Vanderbilt Museum reviewed the submissions to select the top four pieces in each of three divisions. The winners for each division are as follows:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade: 1st place - Liam Putman, 2nd place - Cameron Gagliano, 3rd place - Alessandra Cristobal, honorable mention - Sophia Kleinfelder.
3rd - 5th Grade: 1st place - Christian Tarsia, 2nd place - Allie Dimtchev, 3rd place - Zoe Rizzo, honorable mention - Ava Weir.
6th - 8th Grade: 1st place - Joseph Monticciolo, 2nd place - Nicholas Follo, 3rd place - Lara Boyle, honorable mention - Trevor Corsello.
“The arts are a vital component of every child’s education,” said Larissa Grass, director of the art program and artist-in-residence at Harbor Country Day. “That’s why we started this program four years ago. We wanted to create a vehicle for students to cultivate their love for the arts and showcase their incredible talents. The artwork these children produce is magnificent. We’re honored to give them this opportunity to show the world just how gifted they are.”
As schools across Long Island are forced to cut art education from their curricula, the Young Illustrators Challenge has become an essential opportunity for Long Island students to explore their love of the arts, showcase their talents, and interact with other artists from across Long Island. The theme for the 2015/2016 Young Illustrators Challenge will be “The Future.” The call for submissions will begin in February 2016.
“Harbor Country Day places great emphasis on interdisciplinary education,” said John Cissel, head of school at Harbor Country Day School. “Toward that end, we work hard to incorporate the arts into virtually everything we do at Harbor, from performing arts, to music, to the phenomenal work taking place in Mrs. Grass’ art classes. With this program, we are striving to become a beacon for young artists on Long Island, and I think we are well on our way to meeting that goal.”
About Harbor Country Day School
Founded in 1958 by conscientious parents, Harbor Country Day School is an independent, co-educational day school for children from preschool through 8th grade situated in St. James’ Village of Head of the Harbor. The school employs a whole-child approach to education, wherein its rigorous curriculum is supported by a broad program in its academic, athletic, advisory, and visual and performing arts departments designed to develop all aspects of each child's talents and interests. Harbor Country Day School’s summer camp program, Camp Harbor, is among the leading summer camp programs on Long Island. The school’s mission to “cherish childhood, cultivate wonder, and inspire confident learners and leaders” underscores every child’s experience at Harbor Country Day School and ensures that all of its graduates are prepared to lead fulfilling lives filled with wonder, confidence, and many successes. Harbor Country Day School is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and is accredited by and a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). It is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the IRS Code governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees. For more information, visit www.hcdsny.org.