High school artists present work at BAFFA

Young creative minds from a dozen Suffolk County school districts presented their artwork at the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts’ annual Juried Invitational High School Student Exhibition on April 25 and 26.

Students showcased artwork ranging from portrait and landscape paintings to sculptures and multimedia pieces in the two-day art competition.

“It’s really impressive to see just the variety of different types of pieces and subjects,” said Yvonne Sing, BAFFA president. “It’s nice to see that we’re able to do this sort of work where people can nurture that next generation of artists, give them some place to display.”

Photographer and director Rick Wenner, artist and elementary school teacher Diana Aliberti, and painter Lisa Stanko judged the students’ pieces, evaluating each work on creativity and originality, as well as technique, concept, composition, and emotional response.

The judges selected first, second, third place, and honorable mention winners in six categories of artwork.

First-place winners in each category were: Annabella Hart, Sayville, painting; Juliet Jackson, Commack, drawing; Jenifer Benitez, Brentwood, photography; Selene Brown, Bay Shore, mixed media; Geovanna Lopez, Bay Shore, sculpture; Ethan Tester, Sachem East, digital art.

Along with awards from BAFFA, other art organizations and supporters awarded scholarships to artists who wowed them.

Philanthropists Olivia and Harlan Fischer awarded their “best in show” $1,000 scholarship to Ivette Sinchi of Longwood for her drawing “Framed in Light & Loyalty.” Juliet Jackson of Commack received second best in show and $500.

“It feels really nice to get an award for my art,” said Sinchi, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer. “It’s helped me enjoy my day at school. I actually look forward to going to school because I get to be with my favorite art teachers and do what I like and be with all of my friends.”

Artist Jenifer Benitez of Brentwood won the Jacqueline C. Palmer Award for her photograph “Bloom.” The Bellt Street Artists awarded their scholarship to Juliet Jackson of Commack for her drawing “Leni.”

Women Sharing Art also presented its scholarship winners: artists Mia Drewsis of Longwood, Isabella Rodriguez of Sachem East, and Wanying Yu of Patchogue-Medford.

Commack teacher Marie Adamo accepted the three awards for her student artist Jackson, who will be attending Cornell University, and was almost speechless at her student’s recent success.

“I am so proud of her,” Adamo said. “She worked so hard. She has challenged herself in every medium.”

The BAFFA Art Gallery will next host Women Sharing Art’s exhibition, “Awakening,” throughout May, with an opening reception and student scholarship presentation on Saturday, May 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.