Usdan Center Opens NYC Art Exhibit, 1/24

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, the renowned New York-area summer arts day camp whose alumni include Natalie Portman and Mariah Carey, announces two free public art exhibits, in NYC and then the exhibit moves to Long Island: First Class, the inaugural exhibit of works by students of Usdan's 2011 Portfolio Preparation Track, from January to March 2012. Both exhibits are free and open to the public (detailed location information below). Previous exhibits by students in the program (formerly titled the Usdan Honors Art Intensive) have been presented at major public venues in New York City and on Long Island.
 
First Class features 6 of Long Island's talented 11th and 12 grade artists: Jessica Boyd of Shreiber High School, Manhasset, NY; Jessica Curry of Deer Park High School, Deer Park, NY; Denise Losee of Mepham High School, North Merrick, NY; Emily Rabinowitz of Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, Old Bethpage, NY; Nicole Wildstein of Jericho High School, Jericho, NY; and Julie Zeitoun of Jericho High School, Jericho, NY.
 
New York City information:  exhibit runs from January 24 to March 7 at The Lobby Gallery, 430 Park Avenue (between 55th and 56th Streets). For more information, call the New York City office of Usdan Center, (212) 772-6060, or visit www.usdan.com.

Long Island: Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, Long Island's premier concert hall, where it will be presented in the Atrium on Thursday March 8 to Thursday March 22.  There will be a closing reception there on Thursday March 22.
 
Usdan's Portfolio Preparation Track combines rigorous development of technique and on-site explorations of art history with advice from some of the most prestigious art colleges in the country. This selective program offers dedicated art students an intensive seven-week course designed to build their skills and encourage their vision. The result is a stronger portfolio as students prepare for college and beyond.

Usdan Center  (www.usdan.com) is the nationally renowned summer arts day camp chosen for each of the past several years as a "Best Class or Camp" by TimeOutNY Magazine. Now entering its 45th season. Usdan is annually attended by more than 1500 children ages 6 to 18 from New York City and throughout the Tri-State Area.  Featuring more than 40 programs in music, dance, theater, visual arts, creative writing, nature and ecology and chess, Usdan Center has introduced the arts to more than 50,000 children, ages 6-18.  Most programs are open to all, with no audition required, and about one-third of students attend on scholarship.  Usdan Center is currently hosting several Open Houses for its 2012 season. For information, call (212) 772-6060 or (631) 643-7900, write to openhouse@usdan.com, or visit www.usdan.com.