Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/1074117
hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 7 Gwen, currently a high school senior with an aptitude for drawing and painting. Viglietta says, "I encourage Gwen to focus on what gives her the most joy. I fully support her being an art major and developing a career in art." Additionally, Viglietta states, "Gwen is happiest and most peaceful when painting, drawing or creating. She has a talent for creating, and I would like for her to see it through." For Brian Lasusa of Poughquag, guiding his artistically inclined teen has less to do with the arts themselves. "It has everything to do with raising your children with kindness, love, a sense of responsibility to help others, and treating them as 'people' all throughout their development." His daughter Hannah, 19, is a sophomore at FIT majoring in fashion design, and seems to already be well on her way to finding her own unique niche in the art and fashion worlds. "Through Hannah's studies at FIT and her love of fashion, science, and people, particularly children, she is now looking into the possibility of designing fashionable, appropriate clothing for children who have developed long term illnesses that would be accepting of the different cords or tubes medically necessary for these children to receive treatment and care." Todd Poteet says, "Art shapes the future. What was once thought impossible becomes possible and can intrigue and inspire new generations." With so many career possibilities in art, with hard work, the likelihood for success and fulfillment can be high. And while neither future success nor fulfillment can ever be guaranteed, for those born with a passion and aptitude to create, a life without art already lacks success and fulfillment, making whatever risks that may accompany the pursuit of an art career completely worth taking. Jill Valentino is a wife, mom of two, elementary educator, and lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley. Ben Solliday's mother nurtures her son's creativity and provides him with any opportunity she can. ARTISTIC TEEN (Continued from Page 5)