Riverhead High School Students Design 16-Panel Katherine Dunham Portrait

Participation in East End Arts Council Project Showcases Student Creativity and Teamwork

RIVERHEAD, NEW YORK (MARCH 2026)—Riverhead High School students in Jo-Ann Dellaposta’s and Selena Pagliarulo’s art classes collaborated to participate in the annual East End Arts Council Martin Luther King, Jr. portrait project. This year, Riverhead created a portrait of modern dancer, choreographer, activist, and anthropologist Katherine Dunham.

“The artistic excellence of our students continues to impress me every day,” said Riverhead Central School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Hagan. “This annual project not only showcases their talent but their teamwork, dedication, and creativity as well.”

Each student selected for the project created one to two panels, totaling 16 panels. The panels were then brought together to produce a remarkable portrayal of Katherine Dunham. Known as the “Matriarch of Black Dance,” Dunham is one of the most renowned modern dancers of the 20th century. She was a pioneer of dance anthropology and founded the Katherine Dunham Company—the first African-American modern dance company. Dunham received a number of accolades for her work, including Kennedy Center Honors and a National Medal of Arts.

The following Riverhead High School students participated in this year’s project: Alexandra Acritelli, Genesis Arizaga-Quiros, Katheryn Avarez Guerra, Kallin Coggins, Victoria Cole, Jessie Falero, Graciela Franco Guevara, Pheyton Japa, Sage Jones, and Allison Tuba.

For more information about the Riverhead Central School District, please visit the district’s website at www.riverhead.net. Happenings in the district can also be followed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/riverheadCSD. #BlueWavesPride.

Riverhead High School art students created a 16-panel portrait of modern dance icon Katherine Dunham for the East End Arts Council’s portrait project.