For children and families navigating the uncertainty of family court, a colorful sunset, peaceful landscape or serene photograph may offer a brief moment of calm.
That is the goal of Baldwin School District's Mindfulness Through Art program, which celebrated its third annual exhibition on June 5 at Baldwin High School before donating more than 30 student-created works for permanent display in Nassau and Suffolk family courts.
The initiative, inspired by the district’s Assistant Director of Instructional Programs Gabriella Franza's experiences as a foster and adoptive parent, brings together student artists, educators and court officials to create more welcoming spaces for families facing difficult circumstances.
"There's a lot of uncertainty about family, and that can be the core support to our lives," Franza said. "Having and creating a space in there that can support the mental health, the mindfulness of anyone, was really important."
The exhibition featured paintings, drawings and photographs created by students from across the district. Before the pieces are installed in courthouses throughout Long Island, students had the opportunity to display their work gallery-style and discuss the inspiration behind it with judges, court staff, family members and district administrators.
The program grew from a partnership Franza helped establish with Nassau and Suffolk family courts after developing a relationship with the Nassau County Bar Association.
"It's just been a really great relationship that we've had now for three years," she said.
While the artwork itself varies in subject matter, students were united by a common goal: creating pieces that promote mindfulness, hope and relaxation.
To help inspire their work, students participated in a "Leaving to Learn" experience at Planting Fields Arboretum, where they explored natural landscapes and discussed concepts such as mindfulness, peace and emotional well-being.
"We really wanted to ensure and instill that within the students," Franza said.
Among the featured artists was Baldwin High School sophomore Zyliah Bailey, whose colorful painting depicts a Venetian summer landscape.
"We had to look up landscapes, and I was looking through and I saw Italy," Bailey said. "I really liked all the colors."
When she learned her artwork would be displayed in family court, the experience took on a deeper meaning.
"It made me tear up a little bit because I didn't know I would come this far and have my art shown to all these people," Bailey said. "It's a great experience."
She said she hopes visitors who encounter her work can find a sense of happiness despite whatever challenges they may be facing.
"It makes me feel relaxed myself," Bailey said. "And also calm myself to know that people are able to feel that way just from my painting."
Bailey also described art as a form of mindfulness in her own life.
"The constant movement in my hands is very relaxing," she said. "It helps my mind focus on one thing instead of a bunch of things that I go through in life."
District officials said the program demonstrates how classroom learning can connect to real-world community needs.
"This is an example of the Baldwin schools’ curriculum program aligned to real-world partnerships," Andre Poprilo, the district's director of fine and performing arts, said.
Poprilo noted that since the program began, Baldwin artists have helped make "bureaucratic hallways and waiting spaces a bit more lively."
The initiative also gives students an opportunity to interact with judges, court personnel and legal professionals, exposing them to potential career paths and helping them better understand the court system.
Franza said some students participate in both the district's Fine and Performing Arts Academy and Government and Law Academy, allowing them to see firsthand how the worlds of law and art can intersect.
Court officials from both Nassau and Suffolk counties praised the students' contributions and described the impact the artwork has had on courthouse visitors.
Judge Ellen Greenberg, supervising judge of Nassau County Family Court, said the artwork brings warmth and beauty to spaces where families often arrive under stressful circumstances.
"It really does bring joy," Greenberg said. "Art and color, and it's just beautiful."
She also commended Baldwin students and educators for supporting a project that benefits families throughout the region.
"We want to thank you for the work that you do, that helps us and helps the families that are struggling, come in and have some beauty when they come into family court," Greenberg said.
Judge Cheryl Joseph, supervising judge of matrimonial matters in Suffolk County, echoed those sentiments.
"Court can be incredibly challenging for individuals as they navigate a very complex system and simultaneously navigate a whole wide array of emotions," Joseph said.
She said mindfulness can play an important role in helping people cope with those experiences and praised students for creating artwork that encourages reflection and hope.
"We emphasize to our litigants, especially our children, you have to inhale confidence, exhale doubt," Joseph said. "Ultimately, it's going to be OK, and that's what your art does for us."
For Franza, the program's success comes down to helping people feel a little more at peace during difficult moments.
"There's a lot of waiting," she said of family court. "It's always better to wait in a space that brings calm and a sense of serenity."
