‘MLK Portrait Project’ in Riverhead

East End Arts & Humanities Council, Inc. (EEA) hosts its annual “MLK Portrait Project” with artwork created by local high schools to celebrate Black History Month. The new works celebrating “Unity through Artistic Collaboration” are on view together in Riverhead at the East End Food Market starting Saturday, February 18, and up for auction through March 4.

The 14 large mosaic portraits of civil rights leaders on view were created by local high school art classes as the culmination of EEA’s third annual “MLK Portrait Project” program and auction. Each portrait is up for auction, with proceeds benefiting the EEA art scholarship fund. Bids can be placed online any time until the auction closes on Saturday, March 4, at 5 p.m. The show opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 18, at the East End Food Market,. Those interested in bidding should preregister for best online experience.

Over 200 art students from 13 local East End high schools participated in the 2023 “MLK Portrait Project,” including Bridgehampton, Center Moriches, Comsewogue, East Hampton, Greenport, Hampton Bays, Longwood, Mattituck, Mount Sinai, Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton and William Floyd. Participation has more than doubled since the inaugural program in 2020, and students revel in the opportunity to collaborate both within their own school as well as being part of a regional project.

“Overall, the experience of working together and watching the face appear among the canvases was the most rewarding to my students,” says teacher Jennifer Fiorio of Greenport High School.

The exhibit showcases 14 mosaic art pieces using a total of 224 12” x 12” canvas panels. Students worked with their art teachers painting and assembling these panels to create a portrait of an impactful civil rights leader. This year’s works include not only Martin Luther King, Jr. himself but also Mahalia Jackson, Rosa Parks, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Maya Angelou, John Lewis and Aretha Franklin. Portraits were completed and hung in each school to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday in mid-January before moving to the East End Food Market for the public at large to enjoy and bid on.

With the “MLK Portrait Project” theme of “Unity through Artistic Collaboration,” East End Arts, the partnering schools, and the East End Food Market strive to create an exhibit that demonstrates inclusivity, collaboration and impact. Proceeds from the auction supports the EEA art scholarship fund, ensuring art education is accessible to all. Many winning bidders in the past have generously donated the portrait back to the school of origin.

The 2023 MLK Portrait Project exhibit is free and open to the public, rain or shine, during East End Food Market hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through March 4. The market is located at 139 Main Road in Riverhead. For more information, visit eastendarts.org.