Oswego Students Contribute To Create Harborfest Poster

OSWEGO, NY – When someone looks at a colorful Oswego Harborfest poster they might not realize that Oswego City School District student-artists were involved in its creation.

A cooperative effort between Oswego Harborfest and Oswego High School art students has resulted in a colorful and collectable poster.

Elements of the poster were also submitted by elementary students from Charles E. Riley, Kingsford Park and Minetto.

Sophomore Austin DeMott was the student whose creation was selected, but the work of other students was also considered.

DeMott, who had never entered any type of design contest, was very successful in his initial effort.

He noted, “I incorporated a French theme with Harborfest.  I know music is a big part of Harborfest and I thought I would have a music player in the foreground and in the background stuff like the lighthouse, sailboats and a Ferris wheel.”

The art was computer generated and included a French horn, the flag of France and the Eiffel Tower.

Meanwhile the other students whose pieces were considered were Taylor Braun, Chrissy Abare and Ashley Fidler.

Art teacher Melissa Martin said, “I was very pleased with the overall effort and quality of the Harborfest poster designs, created by my graphics class.”

There were 24 students involved in the project which resulted in this year’s poster.

She continued, “My entire graphics class spent quite a bit of time researching, sketching and executing their finished designs earlier this spring. We worked on the process and development of the project for approximately four weeks. I am very proud of all of the students involved.”

Each student involved had their own view and thoughts about what should be included in the design.

Braun noted, “I had been in the Harborfest office many times and all of the previous posters were on the wall. I noticed sea gulls were a part and decided it would go that way. I drew the seagull by hand and then scanned it.”

She noted that the most difficult part “was making the fireworks. I made them by hand and they really gave me a lot of grief. I worked on them for days.”

Chrissy Abare said the inspiration for the project involved “looking on internet and I saw mimes for a French theme. I thought I could have him juggling balls and also included a music staff for my objects.”

Even though the four students pieces were reviewed as finalists Martin said that the entire class worked diligently to produce a poster draft that might have been considered.

The other students included Kaitlan Barker, Kiley Batchelor, Alexander Benigno, Larry Bivens, Christian Cabanlig, Jose Clavell, Blake Dafoe, Mary Finn, Travis Hadley, Justine Harrington, Jayme Kelsey, Dana Lofthouse, Hilary MacDonald, Mary Montagnola, Denisse Zapata, Bethanie Wright, Gerritt Crisafulli, Chelsee Brockwell and Stephen Hoefer.

Martin noted,” All of these pieces that were selected are good enough the stand on their own. The students rose above a student level for each one of these pieces.”

It was also noted that portions of the poster design elements were also chosen from students at the Charles E. Riley Elementary School and the contributors included Brandon Addabbo, Matthew Taormina, Sophie Woods, Alex Davies, Ana Cummins and Trevor Fidler.

Harborfest is a community celebration and Martin noted, “Our students have produced work in the community for the Coast Guard Station and Education Center. It is good to work with the community and it provides a tremendous experience for our students as they create, and then have to sell themselves and their artwork.”

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