Tooker Avenue Elementary School recently had a display of first and second grade artwork in the West Babylon Public Library. The artwork was displayed in the children’s area as part of a collaboration between the West Babylon art department and public library to help promote the arts in schools and the community.

Under the direction of art teacher Hanna Benardos, students worked diligently to create artwork to be proudly displayed. Expanding on their color theory knowledge, Ms. Benardos’ first grade art classes used oil pastels to create vibrant Kandinsky-inspired circles, experimenting with primary, secondary, warm and cool colors. First graders also created Andy Warhol flower vases. Taking inspiration from the artist’s pop art style, students designed colorful mixed-media collages of flower vases. They explored form and learned about layering, using color application to bring their bouquets to life.

In second grade classes, students created Jim Dine heart collages. They painted abstract backgrounds and layered heart cutouts while exploring proportion, balance, and color to express emotion through composition. Additionally, second grade artists created Wayne Thiebaud complementary cakes. Focusing on complementary colors and form, students sketched and painted tiered cakes using cylinders as a foundation. They carefully selected and applied colors to highlight contrast and color inspired by the style of Thiebaud.

Date Added: 4/7/2025