The collaborative artwork of Hampton Bays Middle School students is currently on display at the Parrish Art Museum as part of the museum’s annual Student Exhibition, which runs until April 26.

Titled “Small Worlds, Big Connections,” the watercolor and mixed media mural was created by 51 fifth and sixth grade students under the guidance of art teacher Adrienne Gagliardi. The large-scale collaborative piece explores the interconnectedness of living things within ecosystems on both land and sea while reinforcing concepts students are learning in their science classes.

Fifth graders are studying the importance of insects, from pollinators to decomposers, while sixth graders are learning about marine ecosystems and how sea life supports food webs and healthy oceans.

“Using watercolor, line and mixed-media techniques, students illustrated insects, fish and sea creatures,” said Gagliardi. “When combined, these individual pieces form one large mural that shows how small organisms play a big role in sustaining life on earth. This artwork reminds us that every creature, no matter how small, has an important place in our world.”

In addition to the collaborative mural, the artwork of 24 seventh and eighth grade students is also featured in the exhibition. Their pieces were created using blackout poetry, a form of visual art that combines written text and illustration.      

The Hampton Bays School District congratulates the talented artists.