The Lakeland Central School District marked a major milestone Monday evening as the 40th annual Art at The Valley exhibition opened at Jefferson Valley Mall, drawing large crowds of parents, students, and community members to celebrate one of the district’s longest-running traditions.
The opening ceremony, held May 4, featured a musical performance by students from Copper Beech Middle School and remarks from Superintendent of Schools Karen Gagliardi and district art coordinator Tiffany Dyckman, who is retiring this year after decades of helping organize the event.
More than 1,200 pieces of student artwork are on display throughout the mall’s upper level through May 23, showcasing the creativity of Lakeland and Walter Panas high school artists across a variety of classes including ceramics, photography, digital art and Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art.
“This cherished tradition has reflected the strength of our partnership with the community and showcased the extraordinary creativity of our students,” Gagliardi said during her opening remarks.
“Our art program continues to thrive because of the passion of all our educators, the support of all the families — look around, you’re here tonight — and the talent of all of our learners,” she added.
Gagliardi also recognized Dyckman’s contributions to the district’s arts program.
“She also was once a student whose work was featured here in this very show and as she prepares for retirement, we thank her for the lasting impact that she has made on a generation of Lakeland artists,” Gagliardi said.
For Dyckman, the anniversary celebration carried personal significance.
“It has been an honor to help organize Art at The Valley through the decades,” she told Yorktown News.
Dyckman first participated in the show as a Lakeland High School student in the late 1980s before returning as an art teacher at Walter Panas High School in 1993, when she was just 21 years old.
Over the years, she helped expand the opening ceremonies to include musical performances from student groups, creating what she described as a valuable platform for young performers in the community.
“In the past 5 or 6 years our talented Middle School band under the direction of Music Educator and Coordinator Rick Russo has been kicking off our ceremonies in perfect style,” Dyckman said. “This has been a new tradition that we now cherish.”
She noted that while the show has evolved with changes to the mall’s layout, its spirit has remained the same. Artwork now spans much of the upstairs level and extends into vacant storefronts such as the former Foot Locker and Hollister spaces, allowing for larger-scale student installations.
“The addition of the larger scale work has expanded the show and allowed the teachers to get creative curating storefronts,” Dyckman said. “We are so proud of our talented students who take risks to work so large.”
“This year having the 40th anniversary of the Mall show upon my retirement felt extra special,” she added. “I am so proud of our tradition.”
The evening began with Copper Beech students performing jazz selections including “Blues by Five,” “Bye Bye Blackbird” and “Mi Vecino,” setting the tone for the celebration before attendees explored the exhibition.
Among the featured works was a striking self-portrait by Walter Panas High School junior Angelina Yaskevych, displayed at the entrance of the former Hollister storefront.
“I’m really proud of how far I’ve come,” Yaskevych said. “It’s been a long journey in art and I want to continue doing it.”
The mixed oil and acrylic self-portrait, completed over two months for her AP Art class, incorporates fantasy-inspired elements, including orchids with eyes surrounding the figure.
Yaskevych said her love of art began in childhood. “I’ve been doing it since I was little. My grandma used to teach me how to draw.”
Her mother, grandmother, and other family members attended the opening to support her.
As visitors strolled the mall’s upper floor viewing hundreds of works, the event served as both a celebration of student creativity and a tribute to a tradition that has connected Lakeland schools with the wider community for four decades.
“I will always remember the feeling of celebrating our students in such an epic exhibit and community event,” said Dyckman. “I hope the tradition of Art at The Valley carries on for as long as possible.”
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