Thursday, October 1, 2026
Valley Stream’s annual Student Art Exhibit will return, featuring a range of work from residents who have taken part in the village’s art programs over the past year.
The exhibit will open with a public reception on Aug. 22 at the Valley Stream Community Center from 6 to 8 p.m. and will remain on display through Sept. 12.
In its fifth year, the exhibit includes artwork from three village-run programs: the adult painting class, the Silver Threads painting program for senior citizens and the children’s art classes. All participants from the past calendar year are invited to contribute up to three original works to the exhibition.
The classes are led by Matt Khan, a local artist and instructor who began teaching for the village’s recreation department in 2018. Since then, the programs have expanded to reach a wide range of residents. The adult painting course runs in ten-week sessions four times per year, while the Silver Threads program meets every other Thursday at the community center. The children’s art class, introduced earlier this year, focuses on basic techniques and incorporates lessons in art history.
“It’s a nice celebration of the arts and Valley Stream,” Khan said. “It’s a privilege to have your work exhibited, and we do get a lot of positive feedback from the public about that event, and that’s how the exhibit came about. It’s a really nice way to just celebrate all the art by the students and their accomplishments throughout the year.”
Khan’s approach to instruction emphasizes traditional painting methods and structured projects designed to help students build confidence. In the senior program, participants work on small-scale paintings using classical techniques. Attendance has grown steadily since its launch, with roughly 25 to 30 participants currently attending on a rotating basis. The youth classes focus on foundational concepts through well-known works of art, such as Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night.”
“My grandson Mason had come to an art show last August and was very impressed,” Silver Threads painter Mary Sterger said. “He met the art instructor, Matt Kahn, and the first thing he said was ‘I want to learn how to paint,’ and so when the class started, he was the first to sign up. Every week, he was the first one there and the last one to leave.
“He cannot wait to be in the art show this year,” she continued. “I have seen Mason really enjoy the class and really learn a lot about color and being creative with design. I also love that he has other kids that he shares the same interests with.”
While the number of works on display per student is limited due to space, the exhibition aims to reflect a variety of skill levels and creative approaches. Students are allowed to submit original work completed in class or on their own, depending on what they feel best represents their efforts.
The opening reception will include light refreshments and is free and open to the public. Attendees typically include family members, neighbors and other community members interested in viewing the work. The exhibit serves as both an end-of-summer event and a platform to showcase local participation in the arts.
In addition to the community exhibit, Khan will also be featured in a solo art show Aug. 4-30 at the National Art League in Douglaston. His work will be shown on the gallery’s second floor. The opportunity came through a connection with a former teacher, who is now a board member at the organization.
Valley Stream’s adult art classes will resume in mid-September. Flyers and registration information will be available at the exhibit for those interested in joining upcoming sessions. The art exhibit remains the village’s only formal public showcase of student work, offering a space for local artists to share what they’ve created in a classroom setting.
