Outstanding Artists Celebrated At Harborfields High School

GREENLAWN, NY — Kyra Saunders and Makayla French, a junior and senior at Harborfields High School respectively, had their artwork selected by the Huntington Arts Council for its "Arts Cultural News" magazine and "High Arts Showcase XVII," Harborfields Central School District announced.

Each year, the council provides high school students the opportunity to submit their artwork for the gallery. The organization’s "JOURNEY Arts in Education Program" provides students with first-hand industry experiences from submitting entries and writing bios to promoting and interacting with the community.

Makayla has boiled down her love of art to a single word: "freedom," according to the district. She draws her inspiration from Green Day's "be you" attitude, as well as her high school art teacher, Elizabeth DeVaney. Makayla has explored her passion without boundaries. In middle school, she began experimenting with sculpture, digital painting, and dry mediums like chalk pastel, computer art and portraiture.

Her recent portrait, titled "Lover’s Dawn," reflects one of Makayla’s favorite myths. She used dark blue to represent the night sky and a rich amber to symbolize the day. She manipulated the colors and imagery to portray the story of the sun and moon as forbidden lovers.

Makayla is a member of the National Art Honor Society and currently serves as vice president of the high school’s art club. In the 2020-21 school year, she has won the National PTA Reflections program at both the school and county level and is currently in the running for state.

Each year, more than 300,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 create original works of
art in response to a student-selected theme. This more-than-50-year-old program helps students explore their thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy and boost their self-confidence. After she graduates, Makayla plans to study biology and will continue to pursue her passion for art as a hobby.

Kyra described her passion for art as "motivation." She artistic journey began at childhood. For years, she has explored different art forms, ranging from video game and anime fan art to her latest passion: digital art.

It was Kyra's most recent digital drawing that the Huntington Arts Council selected for its front page publication. While her piece is untitled, it uses plant imagery and symbolism to tell a story. The drawing uses raspberries to represent love and passion.

Ms. DeVaney described Kyra as "humble, modest and driven," according to the district.

"Really her skill level is far beyond her junior year," DeVaney said.

Kyra, a member of both the National and National Art Honor Societies, has won several Art Student of the Month awards, Reflections at the school level, as well as Excellence in Art awards as a freshman and sophomore.

Kyra sees a future in art and plans to pursue it after graduation.

Both Makayla’s and Krya’s pieces will be displayed at the Art Council’s Main Street Gallery in Huntington from March 19 through April 10. The council will celebrate both artists during a virtual opening of the exhibit in March.