Glen Cove Downtown BID

Downtown and the Arts

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The Glen Cove Downtown BID collaborates with local talent to bring art and music to the area.

See below to read about some of The BID’s collaborations and projects!

The Glen Cove Downtown BID collaborated with art students from Glen Cove High School in 2023 and 2024 to design new banners for Downtown Sounds. The pieces selected demonstrate the talent and creativity these students possess and will be showcased on lampposts throughout downtown until November.

About the students and their art:

Angela Aguilar

Angela Aguilar is a 9th-grader who has always had a passion for art. Art has always brought peace to her, and she also feels that it is a good way to soothe stress. Her banner was inspired by [her teacher] Mrs. Johnides: her vibe, personality and belief in Angela inspired her to make this banner. She tried to make it 2000-2010’s style, with the figures added in Photoshop over the abstract watercolor background. Angela hopes you enjoy her art piece.

Elias Blais

Elias plays quarterback for Glen Cove High School’s football team and for fun, he runs track. He also enjoys technology and I likes playing XBox. He likes trying new things, including art. “I usually like sketching but I decided to create this design as a digital piece and enjoyed it very much,” he said. “I’m happy my work was chosen to be made into a banner to be displayed at Downtown Sounds.”

Jessica Callaghan

Jessica Callaghan is a senior at GCHS and is involved in both the art and music departments. This banner, designed her junior year, allowed her to simultaneously express her interests in drawing, musical performance, and music theory. Jessica did not know for certain what direction her design might take; however, as she continued designing, drawing and adding color, it started to take shape. Her passion for both subject areas are evident in her final piece and she is proud of the work she has created. She hopes the imagery and lively colors depicted in her banner will convey a sense of joy and togetherness to her community, the same emotions that the Downtown Sounds concerts create.

Gabriela Alvarado Chavez

Gabriela Alvarado Chavez is a freshman at Glen Cove High School. Gabby loved participating in this community art project and it has inspired her to take on additional art endeavors. When her art teacher first told her about this project, Gabby loved the idea of possibly displaying her artwork for the community to enjoy. She appreciates this opportunity and would like to thank Mrs. Doughty, her art teacher, and the Glen Cove Downtown BID. She hopes you enjoy her design.

Mariah Cueva

Mariah Cueva is a sophomore at GCHS. She has a variety of interests, such as art, guitar, and writing. Her most treasured pastime is listening to music either through a record player or through her own instrument. Mariah says she envisions music coming off the sheets as she plays, which is why she chose to have notes pop out of the banner. Music often fills the air in Mariah’s home: it pours out from the piano her brother plays and the drums her younger brother plays. While making art she feels a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. She hopes everyone viewing the beautiful banners will admire them, knowing how hard the artists have worked.

Ashley Fernandez

I have always had a very strong interest when it came to art. I was really intrigued by the colors and organizing them when I was little. You can say I really enjoyed finger painting :). Though my art skills and interests went dormant during COVID, being in the art classes at Glen Cove High School has awoken my enjoyment of making art. I really enjoy hands-on projects, like pencil and paper. I feel like one has control of what they put on the paper and you can mix it up however you want, you let your creativity flow.

Marisol Amaya Fuentes

Marisol Amaya Fuentes is a junior attending Glen Cove High School. She has loved art ever since she was a young girl. When she sees art it inspires her own creativity, making her feel happy, calm and relaxed. She has explored many different art forms, but loves painting the most. When she started to design her Downtown Sounds banner, she knew she wanted to incorporate the idea of artists performing, live and on stage. She wanted the imagery to show how the musicians immerse themselves in their craft and how it surrounds them and the audience.

Kayla Gretchyn

Kayla Gretchyn is a 9th-grader at Glen Cove High School who has always had an interest in art. Ever since she was younger, she has enjoyed drawing, painting, and recently digital art. For this art piece, Kayla first used watercolors to make a colorful background. She then used Photoshop for the first time to add the words and people. She was inspired by the retro music that is played downtown when picking images for the banner. Kayla is really happy with how the piece came out and hopes you are, too!

Antonio Joya

Antonio Joya moved to Glen Cove from El Salvador when he was 8 years old and started third grade at Landing Elementary School. “I didn’t know how to speak English and it was hard for me to understand things, but art was a place where I could be successful even if I didn’t understand the language. All I needed was a creative mind,” he said. “I don’t think I’m the best art student, but I love art and try to work hard to get better and better.”

Madison Kaffl

Madison Kaffl is a senior at Glen Cove High School. This particular piece of art–designed her junior year–is important to her because it gave Maddy the opportunity to connect her personal artwork with the community’s music. She was able to translate her passion for art into a new topic. When Maddy began to search for inspiration for this piece, she found herself overwhelmed with the amount of ideas she had to choose from. She decided to use this to her advantage and created a piece that puts together several oil pastel drawings to create a collage full of various images such as a record player, a disco ball and musical instruments.

Natalia Monsale

Art is important to Natalia because she can convey or depict feelings, ideas and life. She feels that art can be used to make the world a better place by giving life and sharing ideas. She can help others with expressing what they want come to fruition. Her favorite subjects to draw are people and fashion. Inspired by designers and artists alike, in this piece the woman wears a dress reminiscent of Filipino dresses as a nod to their culture with the significance singing has in it.Their motivation in art is to bring ideas to life and fruition, putting what’s in the mind’s eye onto paper and to please the eye. They love any form of the arts, from fine to performing, holding a place in their heart.

Benjamin Napolitano

He is an artist, a cellist, and a singer. He has been inspired by his peers, encouraging teachers and incredibly talented brother. He has been a musician since the third grade and has loved art even longer. His passion for both grows every day with the guidance of his teachers. Benjamin, known as Benji to most, designed this as a high school freshman, is now a sophomore, and is very proud to have his art be a part of Downtown Sounds.

Phoebe Pinder

I have lived in Glen Cove all my life, and it is great to create something to be a part of this community. I have loved art since a young age, and you can find little drawings in the corner of my school worksheets from first to tenth grade. I work in watercolor, acrylic paint and digital for the most part, but I always like to try new mediums. I’ve been a part of a few different art contests and shows including Long Island’s Best, the Art Supervisors Association, and the Scholastic Art and Writing contest. I am very grateful to Downtown Sounds for giving me a place to show off a bit of my art. I hope to continue creating for as long as I can.

Jonathan Carranza Salvaco

Jonathan Carranza Salvaco is a junior at Glen Cove High School. He likes all types of art, but painting is his favorite medium. Jonathan is a big soccer fan. He enjoys playing soccer as well as cheering on his favorite soccer player Lionel Messi, Barcelona’s star player. Jonathan also enjoys hip hop and rap music and on his banner design he chose to portray Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Dr. Dre, and Travis Scott – some of his favorites.

Jonathan Carranza Salvaco es estudiante de tercer año en Glen Cove High School. Le encanta todo tipo de arte pero la pintura es su pasatiempo favorito. Jonathan es un gran aficionado al fútbol. Le gusta jugar fútbol y animar a su jugador de fútbol favorito, Lionel Messi, el jugador estrella del Barcelona. Jonathan también disfruta del Hip Hop y Rap. En el diseño para su proyecto eligió hacer un retrato de Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Dr. Dre y Travis Scott, que son algunos de sus artistas favoritos.

Sofia Sanchez

A young artist who is willing to use art as a tool for self-expression and to bring hope for others, which can inspire and uplift others who are willing to make a difference in the world. They are someone who is trying their best every time in order for them to reach the very top. They enjoy any type of art that is made from the heart.

Faith Santana

I am a 2023 graduate of Glen Cove High School. My passion for art started during the COVID-19 pandemic and has grown stronger ever since. Art is a way for me to express my feelings and let them out. Picasso portraits were an inspiration for my piece. I like how he painted distorted faces. His distortions make your eyes wander around the canvas trying to reconnect the different parts of the face. I tried to add that same sense of movement into my design, allowing the lyrics, lines, and music notes to carry you around the surface of the design. I really hope you enjoy my art piece!

Joy Santana

I am a 2023 GCHS graduate who has always had a passion for art. Ever since I was little, I loved drawing and painting. During the pandemic my passion for art grew stronger because I was at home with nothing to do and art was an easy way to keep me occupied. My banner was inspired by an image of a woman with long luxurious hair. It reminded me of the way music can flow smoothly and naturally just like hair. My artwork was done digitally, incorporating music notes with colorful bands of hair, tying it into the Downtown Sounds theme. I hope you enjoy my piece.

Camryn Rabanal

Camryn Rabanal is a junior at Glen Cove High School. She has a passion for both art and music. Camryn is a talented artist whose artwork was displayed in the ASA All County Art Exhibit this year, showcasing Long Island’s best art students. Camryn’s Downtown Sounds design highlights a female figure dancing in the center of the banner surrounded by abstract shapes which seem to move with the figure. The lines, shapes and repetition in her design mimic the feeling of the patterns and rhythms created in music. She is grateful and appreciative to see her artwork displayed in the community.

Yasmin Rivas

I am currently a sophomore at Glen Cove High School. Ever since I was a small child, I have always enjoyed creating art. Art has always been a way for me to express how I feel without needing to use words; for me it’s another form of communication. I am happy to participate in this event and share my design with others. My design was inspired by how music can raise your mood and make you feel better. This piece shows a girl listening to music through her headphones; her eyes are closed, allowing the music to fade away all her worries.

Laura Rodriguez

Laura Rodriguez, a junior at GCHS, is a dedicated art student with a deep passion for visual expression and creativity. Her artwork, a product of her unique perspective on the world, is often inspired by her observations of everyday life. Through her continuous experimentation with different mediums and techniques, Laura pushes the boundaries of her artistic practice, seeking to evoke a range of emotions and spark curiosity in the viewer. Her unwavering commitment to artistic exploration and self-expression is a testament to her desire to learn and grow as an artist. We invite you to explore her unique designs, a treasure as intriguing as the Downtown Sounds concert series itself!

Read more here: Downtown Sounds Banner Project

Teen Showcase

2024 marks the first Teen Showcase!

The BID has revamped the Teen Idol competition into a showcase to highlight MORE local teens and their varied talents in the arts. The Teen Showcase will take place at 7 p.m. on select days. Please be sure to check our social media and website where it will be announced week to week.

Glen Cove High School Masquers

July 12 kicked off our Teen Showcases with a royal performance! Cast members from the Glen Cove High School Masquers’ production of “The Little Mermaid” performed three songs from the show.

Glen Cove Finley Middle School’s Drama Club

July 19 had a magical Downtown Sounds Teen Showcase. Cast members from the Glen Cove Finley Middle School Drama Club’s production of “Aladdin” performed high energy fun songs from the show. Kids in the audience dawned sparkly dresses and danced along to the music.

Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre

July 26’s performance was by members of the Jazz Hands Children’s Theatre’s production of Mean Girls. The play may be mean, but the performance was anything but. Cast members performed four high energy songs warming up the crowd for the band to come.

Four Teen Soloists

August 30’s performance featured four talented soloists. Soloists were Kendall Mathews and Emma Filardo, both from Center Stage Music Center in Westbury and Massapequa Park, Heather Alvarado from Glen Cove, and Phoenix Castle from Deer Park. Each soloist performed two songs to warm the crowd up for the band.

Pictured from left to right: Emma Filardo, Kendall Mathews, Phoenix Castle, and Heather Alvarado

Police Booth Painting

The BID owns the police booth on Bridge Street. To keep downtown beautiful the booth is decorated seasonally.When possible the BID collaborates with local artists to bring fun and fresh work to the building.

Winter 2024

Glen Cove High School students painted beautiful winter scenes to install in the window for winter.