Sandy Art Reveals Triumph and Tragedy

Even the worst tragedy can produce a thing of beauty.

That idea rang true Monday as the winners of the Sandy Art Challenge were announced.

Hundreds of submissions were unveiled at the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management in Bethpage Monday and showed the beauty behind Hurricane Sandy.

"This traumatic experience of ‘Sandy’ touched every one of us," said Susan Kadish, who, along with her husband Lawrence, donated the $20,000 to make the awards possible. "Artists have the ability to translate these experiences into expressions that resonate within our souls. This competition seeks to encourage our community of artists to come forward and create works that will speak to us today and far into the future."

Prizes ranged from $1,000 honorable mention awards, a $2,500 third prize, a $5,000 second prize, and a whopping $10,000 first prize.

“Every crisis, every storm and every natural disaster provides all of us with the ability to call upon our inner strength to begin the job of recovery," said County Executive Ed Mangano, adding the contest helped residents capture the "resilience of Nassau County’s storm survivors, the role of our first responders and our county's commitment to rebuilding.”

The artworks will be displayed at Grumman Studios and applicants can pick up their certificates over the next six months. The rest will be mailed to applicants.