Students from the Information Technology High School who contributed their artistic talents to the project.
By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com
A weight bench, a giant tennis racket, and a photo frame that can crank out the Star-Spangled Banner are in Rafferty Triangle to kick off the Long Island City Partnership’s Summer of Sports.
Pamela Younga, 7, uses the crank to power the Star-Spangled Banner and the light-up photo frame.
The weight bench where students painted various Olympic icons.
A sports-themed ribbon cutting kicked off the event on July 26 and will last until Aug. 18. Students from the Information Technology High School decorated the pieces created by Le Monde. The Summer of Sports project aims to promote healthy lifestyles and local health and fitness businesses.
One of the art pieces is a photo frame with the words “Go Team USA” on the front. A hand crank powers the lights around the frame and plays the Star-Spangled Banner.
Nicholas Sunnott from Le Monde Studio, the artist for the project, collaborated with Long Island City Partnership on a past project and was asked to create this collection of pieces. He sketched the pieces and collaborated with the school on what pieces would work well for student art.
“As artists, we love when people take an interest in what we do, and it’s always fun to get that community perspective for everything.”
Infortmation Technology High School Principal Jean Woods-Powell
Principal Jean Woods-Powell spoke highly of her students and was proud of their role in a public art exhibit.
“It’s so important that we include our students and our children and young adults and public life as they are part of our larger community now, and in the future.”
City Councilmember Julie Won and Deputy Borough President Ebony Young were also in attendance and showed gratitude to the students and Le Monde.
Students who wanted to participate in the project had the option to join an after-school club. One of the students was sophomore Gabriella Maniscalco. Art teacher Judy Hyun-ju Cho, who was in charge of the club, recognized her talent and encouraged her to join the project. She did some of the fine-tuning of the painted icons on the weight bench. Maniscalco wants to learn graphic design so that she can design her own business logo someday.
The Long Island City Partnership is a local development corporation that aims to connect and uplift businesses in the area. The organization works with many local businesses by offering networking events, business assistance, and community events.
Be sure to watch some of Queens’ best athletes in the Olympics.
