4 East Islip Seniors Go 'APE' With Art League Exhibition

EAST ISLIP, NY - From East Islip School District: East Islip High School seniors Melissa Mavrich, Jordan Rant, Zoe Stengel and Jenna Tergesen have been featured in the Art League of Long Island’s 11th annual Go APE Advanced Placement Student Exhibition. The exhibit runs from Feb. 17 through March 4 at the Art League’s Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery in Dix Hills, celebrating the exceptional talents of Long Island’s young AP art students, as selected by their teachers.

These East Islip students are enrolled in Daniel Figliozzi’s AP art 2-D design course; they will attend a Go APE closing artists’ reception at the gallery on March 4. All four seniors plan to attend art school in the fall and are in the process of applying and committing to schools.

“These four girls are amazing,” said Figliozzi. “This is my fourth year teaching all of them, and they have shown amazing growth and transformation in their art practices. I was more than happy to select them for this exhibition, as it is a wonderful opportunity for them to share their work with a larger audience.”

“I’m honored to be a part of such a prestigious event and couldn’t wait to see artists’ works from other schools,” said Stengel.

She has taken nearly every art course that East Islip High School has to offer and received a 5 on her AP drawing exam last year. Stengel plans to pursue a career in illustration, and was awarded with the highest merit scholarship to attend the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan next fall.

“I can’t believe I was given this amazing ART-pportunity,” said Rant. “My artwork, ‘Peacocking,’ is based on personal experience and my interactions with the people I surround myself with.”

A skilled drawer and cartoonist with a knack for humor, Rant is likewise considering SVA, but plans to pursue cartooning. She has also been accepted to Columbia College in Manhattan and Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, and is in the process of making a decision for her college career.

“Being selected for the Go APE show was unexpected,” said Mavrich, acclaimed for her ability to create photorealistic portraits. “I feel accomplished. My artwork, ‘Emma & Jenny,’ showcases my best friend and my cousin. I captured the calmness of Emma and the energetic nature and excitement of Jenny in the work.”

Mavrich has also applied to SVA and plans to attend the fine arts program there.

“I was excited to be able to showcase my work after four years of hard work in my art classes,” said Tergesen of Go APE. “My progression over the years has lead to an artwork that I’m really proud of. I feel accomplished that am able to show this piece alongside other AP art students on Long Island.”

Tergesen plans to pursue interior design next year and hopes to attend the New York School of Interior Design this fall.

Photo courtesy of the East Islip School District