Step into any art classroom or the theater at Syosset High School, and you’ll find painters blending bursts of color, performers rehearsing under the spotlight, and photographers bringing ideas to life on screens. What ties them all together is a shared passion for creativity and the arts. Recently, three of Syosset’s seniors were recognized for their passions and excellence in both the arts and academics through the annual Scholar-Artist Awards, including Melody Chen for Visual Arts.
In terms of the recognition these students receive, art teacher Mr. Damon Tommolino said, “As a Scholar Artist, [students] get their own page in Newsday monthly.” Additionally, all awardees receive an end-of-the-year celebration. To receive such an award is an immense honor. The application process is rigorous, requiring considerable deliberation and effort from both students and teachers. In terms of nominating students, “a collective decision is made between all the art teachers,” said Mr. Tommolino. Art students were nominated not only for their artistic talent but also for their academic performance and overall unweighted GPA.
Afterward, students submit an essay and a portfolio of their work. For instance, Scholar-Artist recipient Melody focused on “investigating the change over time, especially in the systems around us.” Mr. Tommolino said, “Her concentration involves the deconstruction, reconstruction, and properties and beauty of something dilapidated, using a subtractive method.” Melody’s favorite piece in her portfolio was her “Pots and Pans” painting, a 16-by-24-inch acrylic work inspired by her favorite artist Monet and his impressionist style. With this piece, she hoped to capture how light reflects off everyday cooking pans and pots. In doing so, Melody utilized an ordinary scene to showcase the creativity that defines a Scholar Artist.
Discussing Melody’s growth as an artist, Mr. Tommolino, who taught Melody in AP Drawing, said, “I’ve seen a deconstruction of her aesthetic. When she started with allegorical scenes and pictorial imagery, she began to see the value in ‘less is more.’” A big part of artistic excellence that the Scholar Awards look for is an artist’s individuality and innovation. Reflecting on Melody’s creative approach, Mr. Tommolino said, “She is truly thinking outside of the positive space and treating the negative space in her works as equally important, creating a void or vacuum of space.”
Throughout it all, Scholar-Artists continue to be passionate about the arts. Melody has pursued art since she was five years old through many classes, workshops, and dedicated practice. On average, she spends around 30 hours per piece, often working independently or at Ashcan Art Studio. “My biggest advice is don’t try to copy other stuff or other people. You can take ideas from someone else’s work and expand on that and make them unique,” said Melody. Thus, receiving the news suddenly one day that she had won was rewarding. Melody said, “Receiving [Scholar-Artist] validated all the effort that I’ve put into art over the years.”
At the heart of the Scholar-Artist Awards is having a deep love for the arts. Reflecting on Syosset’s commitment to nurturing that passion, Mr. Tommolino said, “I seek to show students what I love about the subject and make it contagious.” Melody said, “Winning…gave me the confidence to apply to other art competitions too.”
