The East Meadow School District Art Department proudly presents the 2020 -2021 Young Artist Exhibition. Although we were unable to view the exhibit in person or celebrate together, we are excited to share the work of our students virtually. The exhibition, which will remain on display through May at the Leon J. Campo Salisbury Center, features works of art from students in grades K-12, representing every school in the district.

We would like to thank our students for sharing their talents and for allowing us to experience their work. Our students are leaders in our mission to create and to explore the arts and we hope the exhibit is a representation to our community that we are continuing to celebrate our students and the work they have shared.

We hope you enjoy!

Mrs. Laura Baez’s third grade class at Bowling Green created beautiful cherry blossom trees, inspired by the chapter book Dragon of the Red Dawn. Students were teacher directed and guided on how to draw the cherry blossom. Black paint was used to draw the branch and their pinkie finger or the eraser from their pencil was used to create the cherry blossoms. The students learned that these trees symbolize life, death, and rebirth because the flowers are only fully bloomed for a short amount of time. They were able to tie the symbolism of the cherry blossoms to the secret of happiness, by paying close attention to the small things in nature. Everyone enjoyed completing this fun activity! 

Students in Allison Brafman and John Sudano's fourth grade class at Bowling Green Elementary School wrote and delivered thank-you notes to the people who make their school great on Nov. 20. The fourth graders penned the memos to school administrators, cafeteria staff, security guards, custodians, nurses and bus drivers. The students then distributed the notes during a special Thankfulness Walk.

“As they hand delivered their letters, the students took pride in putting smiles on the faces of those they wrote,” said Ms. Brafman.

The East Meadow Board of Education recognized the district’s Terrific Kids and the completion of a symbolic Unity Day mural at their meeting on Nov. 18.

“Terrific Kids is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem and perseverance,” explained Kevin Kamper, a distinguished past president of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club. “The Kiwanis Club, in partnership with the district, is a proud sponsor of the Terrific Kids award.”

W.T. Clarke Middle School Principal Stacy Breslin and Woodland Middle School Principal James Lethbridge then announced the Terrific Kids from their respective schools for the months of September, October and November. Normally, the chosen students would be presented with special certificates by the board, but due to safety restrictions, they were not able to be present.

Following the presentation of the Terrific Kids, Veronica Nicastro, PTA Council president, and Kelly Gelfer, director of music and art, presented the completed Unity Day mural and its significance. More than 8,000 signed paper hearts make up the rainbow mural, representing the entire East Meadow community. Bordering the mural are individually designed paper butterflies, which were created by members of the East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high school art honor societies.  

“Amid the coronavirus pandemic, rainbows began appearing in windows across the country and became a symbol of hope,” Ms. Gelfer said. “The East Meadow rainbow mural we present this evening reminds us that we are united in hope, love and kindness, and we are all in this together.”