Rockland Art Educators Feature Pearl River Student Artwork at RCC

Proud parents and talented art students chatted with fruit and sandwiches in SUNY Rockland's Art Underground, the lower level Library Media Center. The Rockland Art Educator's Association (RAEA), an organization dedicated to supporting art teachers and their students, collaborated with SUNY Rockland for their 13th annual art show.

The show displayed work created by students throughout Rockland County in grades K-12. Pearl River students were well represented, with media ranging from jewelry to photography to painting.

PRHS art teachers Paul Martin, John DeMarco, Andrea DellaCava and Lorna Carroll selected work from all of their classes. The following students have work on display -- seniors Jessica Fatigate, Carly Moreno, Brandi Walsh, Annie Fillipone, James Fabio, Brittany Isola, Meghan Lane, Abby Gazan, Lisa O'Sullivan, Justin Falcone, Kaity Goldrick, Christina Sclafani, Andrew Scortea, Zoe Hraska, Nicole Buandona, Melissa Loughnane, Geraldine Ortega and Isabel Mounier; juniors Gabby Moreno, Claire Greenwood, Liam McCardle, Sara Koonin, Kelly Curtis, Nash Bade, Melissa Colodner, Elisa Gashaj and Sarah O'Malley; ninth-grader Rachel Gzan and eighth-grader Isabelle Narciso.

"It's important for any art student to have their work on display," said Brooke Evans, art faculty at RCC.

The RCC Art Department works closely with local art teachers and RAEA to publicize the College’s art program, and recruit promising art students. RCC offers two-year degrees in the fields of Photography, Fine Arts and Graphic Design and awards a scholarship to an art major Freshman every year.

Joan Quinn, co-president of RAEA and retired Clarkstown South Art Department Chair, explained that the idea of the annual show is driven by the art teachers. Quinn, with co-president Peggy O'Hara, ask the members of RAEA who are art teachers for 2-3 pieces from each student. They then select the works that go on display in the gallery at RCC.

"It's getting bigger and better each year. The kids are always excited to have their work on display and to get recognition for their talents. I think they take a lot of pride in displaying their artwork," said O'Hara. "Plus, they're learning how to display artwork and how to hold an art show."

RAEA works hard at giving art teachers the tools they need to give their students the best possible education. Active members of RAEA are invivted to workshops and are given assistance in finding galleries for student art shows.

"It's difficult as a single teacher to get a show on your own," explained Lorna Carroll, art teacher at Pearl River Middle School and Pearl River High School. "RAEA is a support system for us and our students."

Nash Bade's pride in her work is obvious. Bade was the first Pearl River High School student to be accepted to the Drexel University High School Photography Contest in the five years Pearl River has been submiting artwork.

"Mr. Martin, my art teacher, told me about it and I entered three photos into the competition," explained Bade. "It was pretty awesome. It's exciting to be noticed."

"Usually everyone does their own thing, so non-art students don't notice my work but other art students are really supportive and respective of each other's art," Bade added.

Bade's proud mother, Dale Bade, beamed when she saw her daughter's work on the wall.

"This enforces that these kids have talent," Dale Bade said. "They try to find their little niche in life and she found hers in art. We support her all the way."

Bade added that her daughter was so passionate that she even saved up all her money to buy her own high-end camera, even though her parents would have bought one for her if she asked.

"Young Artists at Work" will be on display from March 7 to March 30, at the RCC Library on the main campus in Suffern. Admission is free.