“How do we view people based on what they wear?” 

This question, which contemplates the intersection of human psychology and fashion design, served as the inquiry guiding the A.P. Drawing Portfolio of Maurice Zalta, a senior at Great Neck North High School.

At North High, A.P. Art and Design students are challenged to formulate an “inquiry” to guide a “Sustained Investigation” at the start of the first semester. They then develop a portfolio of several artworks in adherence to this inquiry throughout the school year, which they will then submit to the College Board in May to receive A.P. exam credit. A.P. Art teacher Joseph Giacalone encourages his students to follow a motto of “Practice, Experimentation, and Revision.”

“I use it as a … mantra in class for its symbolic connection to how we grow as artists and
as people,” Mr. Giacalone said. “We can find our way through the wonderful messiness of art
knowing there is always a chance to keep engaging with the things that bring us
joy—practice—to find new ways to think—experimentation—and to be open to …
change—revision.”

Zalta, an aspiring fashion designer and rising freshman at the University of the Arts London, clearly took Mr. Giacalone’s advice to heart. His A.P. portfolio exhibit at North High’s annual ArtFest celebration displayed an array of sketches, collages, and fabric experimentations that translated into elegant pieces of couture.

“Seeing his progress from designing to actually making the piece[s] happen was very eye-opening,” said senior Alina Wang, Zalta’s A.P. Art classmate. “He went through a lot of trial and error, and you could really tell the growth from his first piece to his last.”

ArtFest is always held in the early weeks of May and serves as North High’s annual celebration of the arts. Works from students in fine arts classes are displayed in the Little Theater and performances from the school’s choir, orchestra, and band grace the halls and auditorium.

For Zalta, the arts serve as a catalyst for both catharsis and social change.

“Whenever I start a new project, I … think, ‘Is there anything that has happened to me that other people have been through?'” Zalta said. “[As] a queer … kid, I always felt ostracized. … How can I inspire other queer kids using my … anecdotes and experiences?”

Zalta can express his truest self through his art and hopes that the ArtFest celebration can show members of the student body that they can do the same.

“For [a creative student], their strong suit may not be in the four core subjects,” said Zalta. “It might be [in an] art form. … [A strong arts program] enhances [both a student’s] personal growth [and a] school’s as a whole. … Creativity is one of the most special things someone can have.”

Zalta’s A.P. portfolio explores feelings of judgment and self-consciousness through fabric and its interactions with the human body. This thesis draws comparison to the creative philosophies of one of his inspirations, Jean Paul Gautier, a French fashion designer known for his embrace of the silhouette as a statement of power.

Zalta’s favorite A.P. piece of his is an untitled conception of a large, hand-painted mouth artfully propped by four severed mannequin hands and coupled with a beaded mesh bodysuit tinted bright red. The fascinatingly grotesque and bold nature of the piece represents how speaking your mind and being unapologetically true to yourself empowers you with natural strength and confidence.

“I have lived my whole life knowing that who I was would always cause [controversy], whether that be because I was gay … or a drag
queen,” Zalta said. “Just because other people might try to take you down doesn’t mean you should let them.”

However, despite the fact that his designs received positive reviews, with students and teachers alike praising not only his immaculate craft but also the thought-provoking ideas behind each of his works, Zalta knew he was taking a risk by showcasing his work and queer perspective to the student body.

Great Neck is a relatively conservative town situated on the Long Island Peninsula, where LGBTQ+ discrimination sadly remains a prevalent issue in schools, with many LGBTQ+ students at North High reporting feelings of ostracization in the school community.

“People make fun of the community and toss around gross words like the f-slur in conversation as if it’s nothing,” junior Lily Wang said. “Because of this, many of my LGBTQ+ friends are afraid to come out publicly.”

Zalta himself had been at the center of a local media circus earlier in his high school career. In April 2023, former Congressman George Santos posted a video of Zalta performing in drag at a North High talent show on his social media, calling his performance “not age-appropriate.” The next day, news stations showed up at the gates of North High and asked students to give their opinion on the controversy, causing Zalta great anxiety and distress. Nevertheless, Zalta has not let criticisms from others deter him from practicing his art form. In fact, he embraces the thought-provoking nature of his work, which reflects his unbridled sense of self-love.

“I come from a very privileged background [in] knowing who I am,” said Zalta. “Controversy is something I will always be faced with as I work with very queer subjects. [At the end of the day], I let the discussion happen.”

Indeed, the 2023 controversy brought to the limelight the issue of LGBTQ+ discrimination at North High, which prompted students and faculty alike to be more tolerant and show support for the queer population within the student body.

“Although we have a ways to go, the school as a whole is [now] much more supportive and tolerant regarding LGBTQ+ issues,” sophomore Daniil Isarevich said. “There’s … support to
be found if you need it, and queer students receive more acceptance after they come out.”

At the end of the day, Zalta’s portfolio is a culmination of resilience and bravery. He unapologetically embraces his passion for creation and his willingness to speak for himself and the queer community. When asked what his advice to young artists is, Zalta said, “Explore every facet of art. … Your art is yours … Truly explore, … find what makes you happy, and build off of that.”