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Southampton Student Artists Shine at SAC ‘First Light’ Exhibition
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Southampton Student Artists Shine at SAC ‘First Light’ Exhibition
Melissa Danowski,Southampton Elementary School Principal, Simon Levinson, Dr. Fatima Morrell, Christina Strassfield, Javi Urbano, Jake Urbano. SAC 'First Light: Celebrating Student Artists of Southampton' opening reception, Feb. 11, 2026. Photo by Lisa Tamburini
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Southampton Student Artists Shine at SAC ‘First Light’ Exhibition
Simone Levinson (SAC Board Chair), Dr. Fatima Morrell, Superintendent of Southampton Union Free School District, Christina Strassfield, Exec. Dir. SAC. SAC 'First Light: Celebrating Student Artists of Southampton' opening reception, Feb. 11, 2026. Photo by Lisa Tamburini
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Nearly 300 guests gathered at Southampton Arts Center to celebrate First Light: Celebrating Student Artists of Southampton, an exhibition showcasing young local talent.
Southampton Arts Center was the creative place to be Wednesday, Feb. 11, when nearly 300 people of all ages attended the opening reception for First Light: Celebrating Student Artists of Southampton.
Curated by SAC Executive Director Christina Strassfield, the exhibition is part of a new arts education partnership with the Southampton School District designed to expand access to the arts, increase student visibility and inspire creative engagement across the community.
“We were delighted to work with the Southampton School District to present the exhibition and opening celebrating the arts,” Strassfield said. “I believe art enhances your life, and early exposure to the arts creates a lifelong passion.”
A Showcase of Young Talent
First Light features work by students in grades K-12 and honors the district’s art educators. The exhibition includes a wide range of media, including painting, photography, ceramics, collage, 3D design, multimedia and poetry.
Student musicians provided live music throughout the event, including a flute ensemble, a string ensemble and a jazz group. During the reception, artist Deborah Acquino hosted a Family Open Studio Valentine Workshop where guests created handmade valentines.
The exhibition drew artists, musicians, families and creatives in what was a true community celebration of the arts — something the Hamptons does particularly well.
Community Leaders and Established Artists in Attendance
Student artists rubbed shoulders with established artists, including Paton Miller and Jeff Muhs, whose children with Beth McNeill — West Muhs and India Muhs — were featured in the student exhibition.
Other attendees included Dr. Fatima Morrell, superintendent of the Southampton Union Free School District; Melissa Danowski, principal of Southampton Elementary School; William Manger Jr., mayor of Southampton Village; Simone Levinson, SAC board chair; and Dr. Brian Zahn.
On View Through May 3
First Light: Celebrating Student Artists of Southampton runs through May 3.
For more information, visit southamptonartscenter.org.
(Photographs by Lisa Tamburini @hamptonsphotog)