Check out this art made by Hewlett-Woodmere students

The Hewlett-Woodmere school community has not put a halt to learning this summer. Students had the opportunity to showcase a month’s worth of artwork;  at a summer art show on Aug. 2

Family members, administrators, teachers and students gathered in the Hewlett High School Commons to view the art projects from the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Schools Summer Art and Music Camp. Three display panels covered in student artwork, along with various tables of ceramic and paper mache sculptures were set up for viewing with. refreshments provided by the art department.

Creative challenge was continued during the four-week-long camp where district art teachers gathered to extend art instruction beyond the typical school year. Families in the district had until May 31 to register and pay $160 for the extra-curricular program where students of all ages could participate in two 90-minute art lessons each week. The group met Monday and Wednesday nights from 6 to 7 p.m. at Hewlett High for a lesson and work session with their grade level art classes.

“We just come and make fun artwork,” said Katheryn Sileo, a Hewett-Woodmere art teacher at the summer camp. “The messier the better, at least in my opinion.”

This year’s camp was made up of students ranging from kindergarten to incoming ninth grade students with about 45 campers, some newcomers and other returning students, according to Sileo.

“It depends on who’s here for the summer, who goes away to camp, who goes on vacations,” said Andrew Fund, Hewlett-Woodmere’s director of Art and Music Education.

Some students came and went as they pleased, finishing their art when possible.

“It’s a great filler in the summertime,” Sileo said.

In the four-week span, students created tie-dye fabrics, ceramic birdbaths, paper mache ice cream cones along with paintings and drawings. Each of the projects required students to learn working with different mediums and new materials. The program included thorough instruction from teachers, each project coming with a demonstration and others with step-by-step guidelines for the students.

“Even though it’s the summertime, they have to do the project the right way,” Sileo said.

The district also offers a music camp to students with at least one year of experience playing an instrument or singing, where young musicians can take part in  30-minute group instrumental or vocal lessons, twice a week. Other summer opportunities in the Hewlett-Woodmere district include the Bulldogs Summer Sports Programs, Summer Playschool, instructional programs for English summer learning, an extended school year program and a Summer Learning Academy Program to promote literacy and math skills.

The art program has run for over 10 years for students eager to continue practicing their hands at creation.

“We put the best teachers in these classrooms that want to be here over the summer and they just make the kids so happy and this a great place to be,” Fund said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids to be kids.”