North Fork Student's Work Chosen For State MLK 'Arts & Essay' Exhibit

MATTITUCK, NY — A Cutchogue East Elementary School student has made his hometown proud.

Sixth grader Anthony Ammirati’s artwork was selected for the 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition, sponsored by the New York State Education Department, the district said.

Inspired by Dr. King’s six principles of nonviolence, Anthony’s artwork was one of the 1,000 pieces chosen for display from the 2,208 submissions from 67 public and private schools statewide. The exhibit can now be viewed online here.

Anthony’s project was something he decided on his own to create, the district said. He was inspired after his conversation with art teacher Devon Costello, who discussed Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence and its relevance today, the district said.

He used his Chromebook to source images as a reference for his drawing, a technique he learned from his teacher in the school’s portfolio club and has used several times to create various artworks during the school year, the district added.

"The Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District congratulates Anthony on this outstanding accomplishment," the district said.