Local Student Artists Create a Stunning Mural

Two talented student artists from Long Island recently had an incredible opportunity: they turned their creative vision into a massive mural, measuring 12 feet tall and 80 feet wide, which now adorns a local roadway on the North Shore.

“This was the biggest canvas we’ve ever worked on,” said Giorgina Dorero, a 14-year-old sophomore at Glen Cove High School. She expressed awe at the scale of the project, adding, “I still can’t believe how big it has become.”

Giorgina and her best friend, 15-year-old Nara Loretto Gomez, who is also a 10th grader at Glen Cove, participated in a local art competition last year. Their piece, depicting a monarch butterfly and potted plants, won first place and was even featured on a t-shirt for a community campaign. The mural they painted is inspired by the tree-lined paths of nearby Morgan Park, which had recently undergone a beach cleanup.

The city government invited the duo to create a revamped design for the Mill Hill Road mural last month, acknowledging their previous work. Nara shared that getting involved in volunteer opportunities opened her eyes to new possibilities. “Before, I mostly kept my art to myself. I hesitated to compete,” she explained. “But now, I want to participate in more projects. This experience has really helped me come out of my shell.”

The completed mural beautifully captures Glen Cove across all four seasons. Giorgina commented, “It’s about how nature connects with us emotionally—it’s really stunning.”

Despite enduring an intense August heatwave, with temperatures nearing 100 degrees, the girls poured their hearts into this project. Giorgina remarked on the extreme conditions, saying, “There was definitely a summer heat stroke factor that brought us closer together.” She aspires to attend the California Institute of Arts College in the future.

They weren’t tackling this monumental task alone. Numerous local muralists offered their guidance and supplies, assisting the students in mastering the techniques needed for such a large-scale endeavor. Lora Cusumano, chair of the Beautification Committee, even joined in by scaling a fence to reach the mural’s highest points.

“The reaction from the community while we were painting was amazing; the locals were thrilled to see it happening,” Cusumano noted. As word spread about the project, several neighbors showed their support, volunteering to paint or bringing snacks and cookies for the team.

Giorgina expressed the empowerment she felt from the community’s enthusiasm. “It was clear people really wanted to help because they felt strongly about the mural,” she said.

The original timeline for the mural was set for a week, but thanks to the collaboration of fellow artists, it was completed in just three days.

“Now, my family and I always take this route home to admire the mural,” Nara said, emphasizing, “It feels like it’s part of my home.”