High school student-artist Andres Colon was selected for the 21st annual “Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum” gallery show. His was one of only 84 artworks chosen by the Heckscher for this year’s competition.

Long Island’s Best, a comprehensive arts-in-education program which integrates Huntington’s Heckscher Museum and Nassau and Suffolk high school art classrooms, serves to encourage student-artists to find inspiration in works on display at the museum, using the experience to create their own original works of art. This process ends with a juried exhibition, the only one on Long Island providing high school students a chance to have their artwork displayed in an art museum. The show will be on view from March 11 through April 9.

Colon attended the Long Island’s Best opening reception and awards ceremony at the museum on March 18, accompanied by his family and art teacher Derek Mainhart.

“When I was first introduced to Long Island’s Best by my AP art studio teacher, Mr. Mainhart, I was beyond ecstatic and ready to jump into my work,” said Colon. “Getting accepted into the Heckscher was a tremendous honor. In my photo, ‘Conquer,’ I was able to expand my art and make it into a piece worthy of a museum. The opening ceremony was more than overwhelming, in a good way. My family was beyond proud of me, as I was with myself.”

“There’s nothing more gratifying than seeing my student’s talent and hard work recognized,” said Mainhart. “I couldn’t be prouder of Andy. Long Island’s Best is an inspiring event every year, and Deer Park has been represented four years in a row. I look forward to next year.”