Wantagh Students' Art Brought to Light in Jones Beach

Selected Wantagh Middle School students will see their artwork featured as part of an annual holiday tradition in Jones Beach.

The artwork of Wantagh Middle School students Elizabeth Byrnes, Anna Martorella and Jon Sileo will be showcased in the annual Jones Beach Holiday Lights Spectacular, according to a school press release.

Each year, art is submitted to the famous 2.5-mile show featuring 150 light displays with a holiday theme, according to the release. The students first sketched a winter or holiday picture and submitted it to the venue and the selected art was then carved into lighted wooden sculptures.

Byrnes’s sketch featured a hot chocolate mug held by a mitten, Martorella‘s a lanky Christmas character, and Sileo‘s a Santa exiting a chimney.

Art teacher Athanasia Karaiskos said she encouraged the students to participate in this famous local show.

“I wanted them to see that art is connected to every aspect of our lives,” she said. “The art department could not be more proud of the students.”

[Photo Caption: Wantagh Middle School Principal Dawn Matrochano and art teacher Athanasia Karaiskos are pictured with students Elizabeth Byrnes and Anna Martorella, whose sketches are included in the Jones Beach Holiday Lights Spectacular display. Jon Sileo is not pictured.]

[Photo courtesy of the Wantagh School District]