Art shows celebrate student creativity, activism

rom ballpoint pen and paper to ceramic pottery, student works of art in various mediums were on display at NYSUT’s Tarrytown Regional Office for the second annual juried student art exhibition as part of the statewide union’s Social Justice initiative.

Using NYSUT’s “Many Threads, One Fabric” theme, students from elementary to high school submitted original pieces.

The works were reviewed by a panel of judges including NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham, graphic designer Dana Fournier and retired art educator Cynthia Appold.

“It is truly inspiring to see the impact our art educators have on their students and how they foster creativity, promote diversity and empower students to develop self-expression,” Abraham said.

Students were judged based on how closely they were able to portray the social justice theme; winners were awarded gift cards for art supplies.

“We can give them the tools, but they ultimately create the piece themselves, and they tell their own story. So, it’s super important for them to have their stories told visually for the public to see,” said art teacher Olivia Kavanaugh, Dobbs Ferry United Teachers.

For more about the social justice art show, visit nysut.cc/tro_art.