Keeping with the Town of North Hempstead’s tradition of recognizing children for their environmental stewardship, 22 students were honored at the fifth annual Recycled Art Contest Awards ceremony at the Gold Coast Art Center (formerly known as the Great Neck Arts Center) on Dec. 9.
Two Great Neck School District classes were honored. Students, parents and teachers filled the art gallery to view a remarkable collection of over six dozen works of art by students from school districts that participate in the North Hempstead School Recycling Partnership Program.
Councilwomen Anna Kaplan and Lee Seeman, Receiver of Taxes Charles Berman, and Town Supervisor-Elect Judi Bosworth were on hand to present awards to these young artists at the Dec. 9 event. “We are here to celebrate the outstanding product that results when these talented North Hempstead students blend recycling with their incredible creativity,” Bosworth said, thanking the 73 children who participated. “All of us here are winners.” Encouraging students to create artwork that spreads the message of recycle and reuse, Frances Reid,the Town’s Chief Sustainability Officer, explained that the Town’s recycling program has enabled students to think about recycling efforts at a young age. “With recycling bins now in 49 schools in the Town, we are facilitating the recycling process and emphasizing the importance of it to our children,” Reid said.
Pieces were honored in categories such as: Environmental Message, Best Use of Recycled Materials, and Creativity, Honorable Mention, and Best Overall. Entries will be on display at the Gold Coast Art Center Gallery until Jan. 6 and will then travel to Albany to be displayed at the Capitol building thanks to the efforts of New York State Assemblywoman Michelle Schimel.
