Local students celebrated their creativity at Merrick Academy Charter School’s annual art show, held Thursday, April 24, in the school’s gymnasium at 136-25 218th St. in Laurelton.
This year’s exhibition, titled “On My Journey,” showcased artwork from students in grades K–5, including expressive paintings, textile creations, 3D-printed pieces, and digital designs. The show explored themes of identity, self-expression, and cultural heritage, serving as the culminating display of students’ work throughout the school year.
Curated by Principal Yvonne Anderson and STEAM Director Michelle Harrison, the showcase featured instruction and guidance from teaching artists Fabio Puentes and award-winning designer Monique Glover.
Glover, who teaches art to grades 3-5, said the exhibit represents themes of diversity and expanding one’s journey as an artist. “I think this exhibit exemplifies how we can grow even from sitting at our desks doing our homework and doodling and drawing and using our imaginations,” she said. “Art is such an important part of life, to understand that we may not all share the same perspectives, but at the same time, we can all love each other and still represent really great art.”
Much of the artwork centered on various world regions and eras of history, such as the Harlem Renaissance and patchwork designs inspired by it. Other subjects of the artwork range from embodying the works of Alma Thomas, Basquiat, and Picasso to replicating the drawing styles of Native American folklore and masks inspired by Ugandan tribal designs.
As an International Baccalaureate school, Anderson emphasized the importance of exposing students to various forms of art. By having the art expo, students get hands-on experience in everything from technology to 3D art, sewing, painting, and other art forms. “It’s an opportunity to show multimedia, multiartforms, and mixed media in art to inspire students to not only connect with the curriculum but to connect with their curriculum, but to connect with themselves and their culture,” she said.
With Merrick Academy representing a large student population within the Black diaspora, Anderson added that the curriculum reflects students’ cultural experiences and identities. “We are one of the oldest charter schools in Queens, so being community-based and really embracing the culture of the community is extremely important for us,” she said.
Throughout the day, students trickled into the school’s gym to view the vibrant artwork and visit the different global regions it represents. They carried passport books that were stamped by student volunteers who gave overviews of the artwork and shared the designs they worked on.
Some of the 4th—and 5th-grade student ambassadors were eager to share how their fashion designs were transformed into real-life outfits.
Dakota Barton, 9, is a 4th-grade student ambassador who showcased her costume design based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Her unique costume, which featured an ice-cream headband and chocolate-themed dress, was sewn by Glover. “ Since I like hot chocolate and I also like chocolate, I thought maybe a chocolate person could be fit,” she said.
In an Earth Day-themed section, students displayed digitally designed and hand-painted t-shirts. They also created upcycled jewelry inspired by the Masai Tribe, a nomadic people who live in Central Africa.
For Paris Burgher 10, this was the first time she designed a t-shirt digitally. “I wanted to represent the earth by putting an earth symbol and a quote, the earth is our jewel and our crown. I loved designing it. I want to make another shirt. It wasn’t that hard, and I used Canva,” she said. The 5th grader added that she hopes her design will inspire other students to treat the earth with care.
Other sections had students work on their own self-portraits, inspired by famed White House artist and portrait painter Kehinde Wiley. Glover said Wiley is a great example to students of how artists can inspire Black people through their work. “It’s a great way to empower themselves and do their own self-portraits and show themselves, whether it’s more realistic, or some of them are a little bit more expressive, you can definitely get an idea of their personalities through their work,” she said.
Puentes, who teaches art to grades K-2, said he was impressed with how skilled and innovative the younger students were. Some of the youngsters had displayed abstract portraits inspired by Pablo Picasso, which included different colors, textures, and brush techniques created by watercolor and oil pastels.
Kindergarten students also tried their hands at Basquiat-inspired portraits, which merged abstract shapes, gel paints, and pipecleaners to create mini masterpieces. “ They really did a great job. You get to notice the creativity that younger students have… the shapes of the eyes…they really had fun with this,” he said.
Founded in 2000, Merrick Academy is one of the first charter schools in New York City and the very first in Queens. The school is recognized for its STEAM-focused education and is currently undergoing an expansion. A brand-new, four-story school building is being constructed at 134-11 221st St. in Laurelton, Queens, and is scheduled to open in Fall 2026.
