Valley Stream artist wins place in exhibition

Wheeler Elementary School second-grader Jaime Brione’s “Tree of Life,” has been selected to hang in the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook, beginning on Feb. 23. The young artist submitted the painting as part of a competition that included students from 135 schools across Long Island.

More than 300 artworks were selected for the exhibition, which runs through April 8, and is sponsored by Sterling National Bank, with headquarters in Lake Success.

The theme of the show was “Colors of Long Island,” and featured the works of talented young artists from kindergarten through high school. Students were invited to submit two of their artworks, and submissions reflected a range of expression. From the whimsical to the serious, students chose to represent the theme in a variety of ways. “Traditionally, the theme “Colors of Long Island” allows for many creative interpretations,” said Julie Diamond, spokeswoman for the museum. “While some students refer to Long Islands landscapes, others prefer to focus on the cultural diversity that makes Long Island so colorful,” she said.

The annual exhibition, which has taken place for more than 20 years, “affords the chance for hundreds of students to display their artwork in a museum setting,” Diamond said.

Visitors will be able to meet Jaime, Ogden Elementary fifth-grader Blake Fokshner and East Rockaway High School ninth-grader Lauren Cronin, whose works are shown here, along with all the Nassau County participants, at the closing reception on April 8.

The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, and is open each week from Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For additional information, please call (631) 751-0066, or go to www.longislandmuseum.org.