Five students from Queens got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to have their artwork displayed in the heart of Times Square last week as part of the P.S. Art 2017: Celebrating the Creative Spirit of NYC Kids project.
On June 20, the Times Square Advertising Coalition (TSAC) and The Metropolitan Museum of Art teamed up with the New York City Department of Education (DOE) and Studio in a School Association Inc. to showcase the artwork of 27 NYC public school students on the Clear Channel Spectacolor sign right in Times Square’s Military Island located between 43rd and 44th streets on Broadway.
Included in the 27 works of art were pieces created by Shamier Johnson from P.S. 255 in Fresh Meadows, whose work is entitled “Four Flowers”; Nathaniel Saban from P.S. 46 Alley Pond School in Flushing, whose work is entitled “Pals Forever”; Veronica Kuzma from P.S. 49 in Middle Village, and her work is entitled “Sun Ray Fox Fairy”; Steven Guachichulla from Scholars’ Academy in Rockaway Park, whose work is entitled “Glass on Tiles”; and Kiana Hong from Frank Sinatra School of the Arts High School in Astoria, whose piece is titled “All Wired Up.”
“I have never painted in such detail before and challenged myself to figure out how to paint the intricate, complex shadows and colors I saw in the glass,” Guachichulla, an 11th-grader at Scholars’ Academy, said about his work.
The selected works of art were shown for one hour starting at 2 p.m. during the launch event on June 20, and four minutes every hour starting from midnight on June 21 through June 23.
“I am honored that TSAC can take part in displaying the work of young, talented and creative local student artists for the third year in a row,” said Fred Rosenberg, president of TSAC. “Locals and visitors coming to Times Square will surely enjoy this wonderful public exhibit that reflects the diversity, talent and energy of New York City.”
The 27 works of art chosen for the Times Square showcase are part of the larger P.S. Art exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which is on view from until Oct. 29. The 103 total works in this year’s P.S. Art exhibition represent 105 students from pre-K through 12th grade in public schools throughout the five boroughs. The exhibit highlights the talent and creativity of these young artists and shows how art can be a way to appreciate the cultures, life experiences and traditions across the city. The works were selected from over 1,000 submissions. A jury of distinguished members of the art community, including members of The Metropolitan Museum of Art staff, made the final decisions.
