By Elizabeth Vranka, Executive Director, OSilas Gallery

Jan. 18, 2017:  On Friday, January 6, hundreds of students, family members, and art teachers came to OSilas Gallery for the opening of the StArt Regional High School Art Exhibition.

On show were works from approximately 80 artists representing 29 high schools from Westchester, Rockland, and Orange Counties, as well as the Bronx and southern Connecticut. This exhibition ended on January 17.

Every year for the past 11 years, OSilas Gallery has given high school art students an opportunity to showcase their work in a professional gallery and build their credentials and portfolios for college. Art faculty from each of the participating schools can select up to three works, in any media, for inclusion in the StArt Exhibition. Works this year ranged from photography to metal work to ceramics to paintings and drawings.

Bronxville High School art teacher Courtney Alan stated, "We try to participate in the StArt show at OSilas every year, as it is a great opportunity to display student work in a prominent gallery with other high schools. It's so important for students to show their work to the greater community, as it adds value to their work. Their artwork is evidence of the creative learning that takes place at Bronxville High School and allows them to demonstrate their unique perspectives alongside their peers."

Five students were presented with Certificates of Achievement in the Arts for their contributions to the exhibition, including Bronxville High School junior Maggie Miller.

StArt 2017 is sponsored by The Heart of Neiman Marcus Foundation, which supports organizations that bring enriching arts experiences to youth because ART changes lives.

Participating high schools were Academy of Information Technology and Engineering, Academy of Mount St. Ursula, Ardsley High School, Briarcliff High School, Bronxville High School, Byram Hills High School, Clarkstown High School North, Darien High School, Eastchester High School, German International School, Harrison High School, Hastings on Hudson School, School of the Holy Child, John Jay High School, Karafin School, Mamaroneck High School, Ossining High School, Pelham Memorial High School, Pleasantville High School, Riverside High School, Yonkers, Rye Neck High School, Sacred Heart High School, Scarsdale High School, St. Catherine Academy, The Montfort Academy, Tuckahoe High School, Valhalla High School, Walter Panas High School, and Westlake High School. 

OSilas Gallery is located on the campus of Concordia College, 171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, in the Donald A. Krenz Academic Center on the second level of Scheele Memorial Library. Free and ample parking is available on campus.  

Gallery hours are Tues/Wed/Fri noon-5:00 pm, Thurs noon-7:00 pm, and Sat/Sun 2:00-5:00 pm. Please call Executive Director Elizabeth Vranka at 914-337-9300, ext. 2173 for more information or to make arrangements to have your group view StArt outside regular gallery hours.

Pictured here:  Students who were presented with Certificates of Achievement in the Arts for their contributions to the StArt exhibition.

Photo courtesy Elizabeth Vranka, Executive Director, OSilas Gallery