Brewster Students Earn Top Honors at Olympics of the Visual Arts

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, students from CV Starr Intermediate School and H.H. Wells Middle School represented the Brewster School District at the Olympics of the Visual Arts (OVA), held at the Saratoga Springs City Center in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The annual OVA competition brings together student artists from across the region to engage in both long-term creative development and fast-paced, day-of design challenges. The program emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving through the visual arts, culminating in a full-day event that celebrates student creativity across multiple disciplines.

This year, Brewster fielded seven teams across four categories: Illustration, Design, Fashion Design, and Architecture, with participation from both fifth- and eighth-grade students.

The district’s presence at OVA has grown steadily over time. Art teacher Danielle Michielini has been bringing CV Starr students to the event since 2008, calling it a "consistently inspiring opportunity for young artists." This year also marked an expansion of the program at the middle school level, as an additional eighth-grade class from H.H. Wells Middle School joined under the direction of teacher Megan Naclerio. Her involvement helped lead Brewster to its largest participation in program history.

Throughout the day, students received strong feedback from judges, educators, parents, and peers. Their work was praised for creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful collaboration across all categories. Though the experience was demanding, students returned with a sense of accomplishment and renewed inspiration for their artistic pursuits.

Among 244 competing teams, Brewster students earned several top honors:

• Elementary Fashion Design — 1st Place
• Middle School Fashion Design — 2nd Place
• Elementary Architecture — 1st Place
• Middle School Architecture — 3rd Place
• Elementary Design — 1st Place
• Middle School Design — 2nd Place
• Middle School Design — Most Creative Overall (K–12)

The district also recognized its middle school Illustration team for a project that, while not placing in the competition, was commended for originality, effort, and artistic vision.

“I am incredibly proud of every student who participated,” Michielini said. “Hard work, imagination, and willingness to take creative risks made the day a memorable and successful experience for Brewster.”

The Olympics of Visual Arts program reflects Brewster’s commitment to providing multiple pathways for every student, ensuring access to meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that support a wide range of interests, talents, and future goals.