Preston High School celebrated its eighth year of displaying student artwork at a Citibank branch at 3924 E. Tremont Avenue. The school culminated its five-week display by presenting awards for participation and excellence at the Best of Preston Artist’s Exhibition on Thursday, April 15.
The students artwork had been hanging in the lobby of the branch. It included examples of the Preston’s art program which provides four years of instruction in variety of different mediums. Included in the show were winners for best painting, graphic, drawing, photograph, as well as two honorable mention awards, and a Best of Show Award for overall technical mastery that went to senior Renee Parrillo. Parrillo, of Throggs Neck, took home a prize of $150 donated by Citibank. All award winners also took home cash prizes, along with certificates. The winning piece of artwork was a pencil drawing of angel looking into a pool of water, and seeing a demon reflection.
“My concentration was on how good underlies all evil, and how there cannot be one without another,” Parrillo said.
Whatever the subject matter, Parillo’s teachers stressed that producing all kinds of artwork helping the pupils become more detail oriented, and in the case of graphic design, also helps them develop computer skills. Parillo is planning on attending St. John’s University and majoring in Pharmacy.
Branch manager Patricia Fournier said that it was the fifth time that the bank has hosted the event while she has been at the branch.
“The school approached us about having their artwork hang in the bank,” Fournier said. “We donated the money for the awards. This is part of Citibank giving back to the community.”
Other winners were junior Stephanie Fiorenza for painting, senior Erica Mazurkiewicz for drawing, senior Jacqueline Donoghue for graphic art, senior Adriana Perez for photography, and honorable mentions to sophomore Fabiana Nardone and junior Jariel Jacobs.
Reach reporter Patrick Rocchio at (718) 742-3393 or procchio@cnglocal.com
