By: Audrey Chan
This April, Syosset High School’s student lobby hosted another year of its annual art fair. Syosset students showcased their creativity through a variety of media, culminating in works from classes such as AP Drawing, Fashion Design, and Ceramics. The fair featured not only the work of Syosset High School students, but also pieces from elementary and middle school students across the district.
The main floor and gallery room featured paintings, drawings, and collages. The gallery room also included multimedia works, including sculptures, ceramics, and even piñatas. Alongside the art hall were photographs, computer art, and graphic design pieces. Meanwhile, just outside the auditorium, fashion designs and enlarged cardboard sculptures shaped like ordinary objects, such as a binder clip, scissors, and a pencil, were displayed. Syosset art teachers and students worked together to arrange the fair. Mr. Stephen Malafis said, “We discuss with the classes curating in a way that would fit, for example, complementary colors going together. If somebody has a lot of blue, we might put it with one that has a lot of orange, or something that is black and white with something colorful. We also try to use space in the best way possible and have a sample platter of everything.”
Artists across the high school noted the variety of ways students can be creative across the curriculum. Junior artist Morgan Shen currently takes AP Drawing and previously took Studio in Art and Advanced Drawing. Her painting was displayed in the gallery room. Morgan used a fish-eye perspective, depicting a girl “looking into the peephole of an apartment door, as if intruding on your personal space.” Morgan said, “In class, we were doing a perspective project, and I wanted to do someone looking into a peephole. I think it’s really fun to look at all the art pieces every year. While taking ceramics, sophomore Audrey Yeung created masks, cardboard sculptures, and a raku sculpture. Audrey said, “The art community is really accepting here. At the art fair, you can see a variety of works and mediums, which I’m really glad to see. My friends’ works are showcased here, so I think the art fair gives artists something to be proud of and gives them recognition for the pride they take in their work.”
With the spirit of creativity, Syosset welcomes all students to join the art community regardless of prior skill. Whether students enjoy drawing, sculpture, or even art history, Syosset offers classes and supportive teachers for every step of the way. Mr. Malafis said, “I would tell anyone who is thinking about taking an art class not to be intimidated by the amazing work we see. A lot of students think we have to be highly skilled, but it’s the opposite. They take the classes to become artists. My message is that we are an open environment for everyone who wants to create and make art and is looking to explore their creative side.”
