It is not often that young artists are recognized for their talented work outside of a school setting. On April 14, the Islip Arts Council held a dual opening reception for high school and middle school exhibitions, giving grateful young artists a platform to show their work, times two.

Students, their families, and art enthusiasts alike gathered at the Islip Arts Council Gallery from 2 to 4 p.m. for the opening reception of the 2024 Congressional Art Show Competition and the 2024 Youth Empowerment Project.

The 2024 Congressional Art Show Competition offered a unique and prestigious opportunity for high schoolers to have their art displayed in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

“Every member of Congress gets to have an art competition in their district, and the winning artist’s picture hangs up in the tunnel of the Capitol building of the offices where the members work,” explained congressman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY 2nd District) during the opening reception. “So, there are thousands of people who will walk past the artwork every day. It is really nice to show off how artistic our students are from Long Island.”

The 29 high schoolers who participated in the art competition exercised their creative freedom, creating a mix of self-portraits, still lifes, landscapes, and photorealism.

Garbarino had the honor of announcing the winners of the competition, picked by the Islip Arts Council Curatorial Team. Coming in first place was Sidney Shurgin from Connetquot High School. Along with having her art displayed within the Capitol building, Shurgin won a trip to Washington, D.C.

Honorable mentions for the 2024 Congressional Art Show Competition include Evelyn Visnay from Deer Park High School, Sofia Policano from Connetquot High School, and Breanna Questel from Islip High School. The honorable mentions will have their art displayed in Garbarino’s personal office in Washington, D.C.

All artists participating in both the Congressional Competition and 2024 Youth Empowerment Project received Congressional Citations from Garbarino.

On the wall across from the high school art are the 19 self-portraits that make up the 2024 Youth Empowerment Project. Presented by the IAC, Central Islip Civics Council, and Suffolk County Youth Bureau, the program showcases art from young artists attending Ralph G. Reed Middle School in the Central Islip School District. Students in the art club, under the instruction of Ms. Harris, receive their own individual art materials, partially funded by the Suffolk County Youth Bureau Omnibus Grant and private donors who are passionate about the Youth Empowerment Program.

“We ask them to create a portrait that represents themselves and why they matter, and they write a little explanation for their artwork that we put in the pamphlet at the reception,” explained Joan Minniti, executive director of the Central Islip Civic Council.

Attendees at the reception indeed received a pamphlet compiled of each student’s written explanation of their self-portrait. The program prompts the middle schools to indulge in self-realization, empathy, and healthy communication, providing students with a creative outlet to express themselves.

Seeing the students’ facial expressions as they saw their artwork displayed in a real art gallery for the first time was priceless. By hosting the exhibitions, the Islip Arts Council allowed the artists of tomorrow to realize their full potential.

To support the young artists, visit the exhibitions by April 30 in the Islip Arts Council Gallery in the Bay Shore Mall, open Tuesday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 4 p.m.