4 East Islip Senior Artists Picked For Advanced ‘APE’ Exhibit

EAST ISLIP, NY - From East Islip School District: East Islip High School seniors Hanna Benardos, Max Calarco, Genevieve Imhof and Gia Piazza – all enrolled in Daniel Figliozzi’s AP Studio Art 2D Design class– were selected for the Art League of Long Island’s 12th annual Go APE Advanced Placement Exhibition, which showcases exceptional work by art students from all over Long Island. The show, displayed at the Art League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery, runs from Feb. 16 through March 3, culminating in a closing artists’ reception and awards presentation on March 3.

“These four students are exceptional,” said Figliozzi. “They each have a unique vision and demonstrate a variety of strong technical abilities in their chosen craft, whether it be traditional drawing, digital photography, fashion illustration or digital illustration. I have no doubt that they will do something creative in their futures.”

All four East Islip seniors plan to attend art school in the fall and are in the process of finishing applying and committing to schools. Benardos, known for her unique and unconventional vision, plans to attend fashion school and is leaning toward the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles or the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Calarco, an accomplished illustrator and cartoonist, will major in digital art and design at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Imhof, who specializes in photorealistic drawings and paintings, will attend the College of New Rochelle, studying art education. Piazza, acclaimed for her dynamic triptychs, plans to pursue photography in college.