Briarcliff High School Presents Art Salon 2023 At Sleepy Hollow Country Club

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

The elegant grandeur of the Sleepy Hollow Country Club with its lavish chandeliers and exquisite wall paneling was a venue fit for royalty, or, in this case, the immensely talented students at Briarcliff High School.

The school’s art department recently held its annual Art Salon exhibit, showcasing works of art and film created by students across all grades.

The event began with the Briarcliff High School Jazz Band performing lively tunes.

Students and guests mingled and took in a variety of works of art in multiple mediums.

“The student artwork in the show integrates technical skill with larger theoretical issues such as art history, cultural diversity, and the role of the individual in a modern, global society,” said art teacher Roxanne Ritacco.

Internationally renowned artist Vincent Desiderio was the guest speaker. Mr. Desiderio has taught widely in the US, China, and Italy. He shared his experienced perspective on the field with the students and guests.

The Holzer family presented the Rhoda Holzer Memorial Scholarship for Fine Arts to seniors Kate Kaplan, Violet Young, Coby Rinke and Annika Bruinings.

The art show featured the portfolio work of 11 AP Art students, each of whom created 15 pieces.

“These students are challenged to generate original ideas and ultimately take a deep dive into experimentation and exploration within their chosen theme,” Ms. Ritacco said.

Also showcasing their work were students in Oil Painting Honors, Drawing & Painting 1 and Studio in Art classes.

With combined effort, faculty members in the art department continuously challenge their students to delve below the surface, take artistic risks, develop a variety of techniques and learn to express different styles and ideas through their work.

On display were also photographs, digital prints, illustrations, sculpture and ceramics from the school’s semester-long elective programs.

The event concluded with a presentation of Film Shorts, put together by the Introduction to Film and Digital Editing course and the Briarcliff Future Filmmakers Club.

“We appreciate the generosity of the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and its’ willingness to host this show again,” said art teacher Jessica Dubin.

Briarcliff Manor School District Superintendent Dr. James Kaishian was also in attendance.

“It was wonderful to see the return of the high school’s annual Art Salon to Sleepy Hollow Country Club,” he said. “I cannot imagine a more majestic venue to highlight the extraordinary student artwork, musicianship and film on display this evening. I am so very impressed.”

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.