Summer Art Fun at ESY program as Creativity Thrives

Students in the Extended School Year program at Woodhull Intermediate School have been enjoying a variety of creative art projects this summer.

“We kicked things off by painting rocks,” art teacher Nicholas Matarazzo said. “Our older students wrote messages of kindness on their rocks, while our younger students decorated theirs with bright colors and googly eyes to create fun little ‘rock monsters.’” Once the rocks are sealed and weatherproof, we hope to place them in or around the Woodhull annex for others to discover and enjoy.

The next project was inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo, who was known for her colorful self-portraits filled with flowers and vibrant imagery. “Students began by painting watercolor backgrounds and are now creating flowers out of paper. Some of the flowers are three-dimensional, popping off the page, while others are two-dimensional, creating a beautiful variety of artistic expression,” Mr. Matarazzo said

To wrap up the summer, students will complete two more exciting projects. “We'll revisit a favorite from last year by creating paper mosaics, and then we'll get a little funky by building sculptures using pipe cleaners and a variety of other materials,” Mr. Matarazzo said.

Mr. Matarazzo earned an undergraduate degree at Farmingdale State College and a master’s degree at CUNY Queens College. He graduated with Huntington High School’s Class of 2013. He’s coached baseball teams at J. Taylor Finley Middle School and the high school. He has also been employed as a landscape designer by Mossy Pine Designs.

“There is nothing better than seeing our students happy, engaged, and relaxed while creating art,” Mr. Matarazzo said. “None of these meaningful experiences would be possible without the incredible support staff, who play a vital role in helping our students bring these ideas to life. Their dedication and encouragement make each project possible!”