Schools
Smithtown HS West Art Student’s Work Lands In Heckscher Museum
His piece was one of the 87 chosen out of 456 works from student-artists across Long Island.
SMITHTOWN, NY — Smithtown High School West AP art student Michael Struzinski's talents in the style of photorealism, using graphite pencils and charcoal, has led to his artwork being selected for the second year in a row to the Heckscher Museum's Long Island's Best 2024 student exhibit, the school district announced.
Struzinski's piece was one of the 87 chosen out of 456 works from students' submissions across Suffolk and Nassau counties, and it will be on display from March 23 through May 5.
Struzinski said he was inspired by one of the pieces currently exhibited in the museum and his history teacher Jennifer Keller.
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"She was one of my favorite teachers," Struzinski said in a news release. "As a sophomore, after each unit she would allow us to do something creative. She would hang my work up on the board. It was a huge confidence boost. I also promised her I'd make her a portrait."
When Keller saw the portrait, her response was swift.
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"Wow, he is amazing!" she said.
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