Village art students showcase their best

A lively crowd of art lovers and village dignitaries gathered at the Community Center’s Burgundy Room turned art gallery reception last Friday. On display was the artwork of nearly a dozen amateur student artists from the Valley Stream Recreation Department’s Adult Art Class last Friday.

This year’s batch of students, ranging from rank beginners to more seasoned painters, were part of the Summer and Spring 2021 Adult Art Class, finishing off their ten-week beginner and intermediate acrylic painting classes with a public presentation of their completed work. The class is run by self-taught artist and village employee Matt Khan.

Students like Judy Shako Wills were there with her family in tow to see her paintings on display. Pointing toward a painting of coconut palm trees, she said this was an early assignment of the art class. “Mine came out fair,” said Wills. “Nothing to be embarrassed about.”

But her real pride and joy, she admitted, was a painting of a flower bouquet dotted with laurel leaves modeled after what she handpicked from the bushes on her front lawn. Her daughter, Olena Wills, said she wants to nab one of her mother’s paintings of fish swimming beneath a crystalline blue pond with water lilies to hang on her wall

“I’m really excited about my future as a painter,” said Wills. “Not to sell or anything, but as something to carry out, something to express.”

She also thanked Khan’s thoughtful, judgment-free style of teaching for fueling her passion as she sets her sights on returning for the upcoming winter program.

“Matt teaches you how to prepare the canvas, know what steps to take, and as you’re developing your art” he offers great technical pointers, said Wills who’s encouraging her friends to tag along for the next season.

After juggling the demanding and important roles of mother, scout leader, and teacher for most of her adult life, Belle Cheverino finally found time to rediscover her lifelong passion for art.

“When you’re a teacher, you don’t have anything to do but that,” said Cheverino. The art class “woke something up in me that had laid dormant. It was nice to get back to that part of my soul.”

When browsing for an art class, she was immediately drawn to the convenience of the location, and the thought of learning alongside people at different skill levels in a friendly, judgement-free space.

A veteran of the art program, Cheverino captured the likeness of her rescue pooch ‘Sammie’ and cat ‘Mackenzie,’ recurring subjects in her paintings. 

I came into the program “ never ever having worked with acrylics, with this kind of illustration,” said Cheverino. “But Matt teaches you the techniques. He shows you how to use a palette knife, use underpainting, or use the brush to get the ‘wow’ effect you’d like. It’s fantastic.”

“Often people have wanted to paint their entire lives but are afraid that they’re going to suck or be judged,” Khan said. “We help each other. I’m learning myself.”