“As the curator of art in all of the town’s spaces, we get some wonderful exhibits, but this student-created show is the one that brings out the most interest,” said Sarah Bracey White, Executive Director of Cultural Affairs for the Town of Greenburgh. “Residents who come to Town Hall to do various things are always impressed by the quality of the students' art. I tell them it’s because Greenburgh has the best art teachers in the county. The work the students produce is not repetitive—it is so thought-provoking.”
The annual district-wide art show opened last Thursday evening at Greenburgh Town Hall. Students, family members, administrators, teachers, and Board members gathered to celebrate K–12 students’ artistic expression and excellence, and to show appreciation for the dedicated GCSD art teachers: Ms. Cronin, Ms. Newbey, Ms. Cioffoletti, Ms. Dove, and Ms. Weiss. The reception highlighted not only the students' artwork but also the many ways art enriches the school experience.
During the welcome reception, Board of Education Trustees David Warner and Erin Jacobsen spoke about the importance of art in education. Ms. Jacobsen, a mother to a second and sixth grader in the district, is also an artist and art therapist. “Art has always shaped how I see the world, and it was my high school art teacher who introduced me to the field of art therapy,” she shared. “Greenburgh also has incredible art teachers, as seen in the show and the power of student work on display. For students to express themselves through art, they need a safe space to be vulnerable, take risks, and grow. I hope tonight reminds us to stay creative and to model that bravery and imagination for our children and ourselves.”
Mr. Warner remarked on the impact art has on innovation and student growth. “I want to point out the difference between art and everything else we teach. Art education celebrates creativity and individuality. There are no points for originality on a standardized state test, but we think originality is important. Miriam Bernabei [retired GCSD Director of Arts, Music, and Special Programs] said it best: other disciplines intellectualize our students—art humanizes them,” he said. “Civilization is built on originality. It’s a mountain of artwork and inventions—the Mona Lisa, the lightbulb. We’ve eradicated diseases, survived COVID, and gone to the moon. We’ve also created dangerous weapons, damaged the natural environment, and based our economies on non-sustainable resources. We need to innovate our way out of our problems, so we’d better teach our children to be creative.”
During the reception, WHS senior Messiah Jackson-Alberich received special recognition from Greenburgh Town Councilwoman Ellen Hendricks, ArtsWestchester Senior Program Manager Katori, and Yonkers Arts Executive Evan Bishop for his photograph currently featured in the Town Hall show. Last week, Messiah’s piece was selected to be part of an exhibition at the Neuberger Museum of Art at Purchase College in a collection for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. It now also hangs in Congressman George Latimer’s office.
Taken during a drive through upper Manhattan with his mother, the photograph captures a handmade tapestry hanging on a fence in an urban neighborhood under construction. “As I was driving, I saw the sign. It read Kamala 2025. Underneath and overlapping, someone wrote Trump 2025,” he said. “Before I met my art teacher Ms. Newbey, I looked at photography as this linear and basic medium. In her class, I learned that photography isn’t just about what you see in the picture—it’s about what it symbolizes. The photo signifies a community divided, and for me, it represents a shift in community. When I took the photo, I didn’t think about it too much. But when I started to look at it deeper using Ms. Newbey’s way of thinking, it meant a whole lot more to me.”
In recognition of the artistic achievements, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Ogechi Njoku applauded the work of both students and teachers. “We are so proud to gather as a community to celebrate the imagination and work of our students in grades K–12,” she said. “This show is a tremendous feat. I believe that art should come from the people, for the people. It’s amazing what our art teachers across the district are able to draw out of students.”
The exhibition will be on display at the Town Hall throughout the month.