four ladies hold Al Plastino's artwork

William Floyd School District fine arts chairperson Theresa Bianco (left) with members of famed artist Al Plastino's family holding original pieces of artwork. Mr. Plastino's family members include (second from left to right) daughter Arlene Podlesny, granddaughter Melanie Podlesny, and daughter Janice Iapaolo. (Click image to view additional photos from the ceremony!)

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s a painting of John S. Hobart! In the lobby of the elementary school that bears his name, sits a portrait of former U.S. Senator John Sloss Hobart painted by famed artist and former resident Al Plastino, who had what many would call a “super” career as an artist.

large group photo of students, administrators and Al Plastino's family

William Floyd High School students, WFSD fine arts chairperson Theresa Bianco, John S. Hobart Elementary School principal James Westcott and assistant principal Thomas Virgona, along with members of the Plastino family, gathered for a group photo with some of Mr. Plastino's original artwork. (Click image to view additional photos from the ceremony!)

For many years, Plastino worked as an artist for DC Comics, earning recognition as one of the most prolific artists of Superman. Although he was most famous for drawing the Man of Steel, Plastino also illustrated many DC Comics superheroes and supervillains throughout his career, even being credited as a co-creator of the Supergirl, Brainiac and Parasite characters as well as the teenage team Legion of Superheroes. The revelation that the painter behind the John S. Hobart portrait also had such an illustrious career as a comic artist meant a lot to the John S. Hobart and William Floyd school community.

Mr. Plastino is also the artist behind the renowned "Superman's Mission for President Kennedy" encouraging children to get physically fit. The 10-page piece, in production when John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963, was published eight months later as a tribute to President Kennedy. DC Comics has since acquired the original drawings and donated them to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, which now houses them as part of their permanent collection.

photo of original artwork featuring Superman and The Flash

Pieces of Al Plastino's original artwork were also on display. This one featured Superman preparing to race The Flash. (Click image to view additional photos from the ceremony!)

“Our students connect to these superheroes, they draw them all the time, they grew up with them and their message of hope and resilience,” said Theresa Bianco, chairperson of fine arts, William Floyd School District. “Now when they pass that painting, they will stop and look a little longer, and hopefully have the same sense of pride that I did knowing that someone so talented lived right in our community.”

To honor his importance as an artist and his donation of an original piece to John S. Hobart Elementary School, Mrs. Bianco worked to arrange a plaque dedication in his honor. The plaque now rests just below his painting of John S. Hobart in the lobby of the elementary school.

Several members of the Plastino family were recently invited to Hobart for a special assembly in which the plaque would be officially unveiled. Attending the ceremony were Mr. Plastino’s daughters Arlene Podlesny and Janice Iapaolo, a retired Tangier Smith Elementary School teacher, and Mr. Plastino’s granddaughter Melanie Podlesny, a 2024 William Floyd alumna.

2024 graduate with former teacher holding prints of Al Plastino's drawing of Superman

Melanie Podlesny, a 2024 WFHS alumna and granddaughter of famed artist Al Plastino, is pictured with WFHS English teacher, Brian Sckipp. (Click image to view additional photos from the ceremony!)

This plaque dedication came to fruition thanks to a project that Melanie Podlesny presented in Mr. Brian Sckipp’s high school English class highlighting the accomplishments of her grandfather. Mr. Sckipp, who is an avid Superman fan, then brought this to the attention of Mrs. Bianco, and the idea to honor this artistic legend was born.

Mr. Sckipp, along with teacher Paul Helbig, was also instrumental in introducing the “Heroes, Myths and Legends” class to William Floyd High School, a half-year elective for seniors designed to introduce, explore and examine the origins, universality and enduring significance of heroic myths and legends that have helped humans make sense of their world and shape their societies. So, recognizing the accomplishments of Mr. Plastino was a natural fit and a long overdue honor for the school community.

four people unveil the Al Plastino plaque below his portrait of John S. Hobart

Famed artist Al Plastino’s family were on hand to unveil the plaque in his honor (l-r) Arlene Podlesny (daughter), Melanie Podlesny (granddaughter), Theresa Bianco (WFSD fine arts chairperson), Janice Iapaolo (daughter). (Click image to view additional photos from the ceremony!)

As part of the dedication ceremony, Melanie gave students from Hobart and William Floyd High School a presentation on her grandfather’s work. She guided the students through his extensive career illustrating the “Ferdinand,” “Nancy” and world-famous “Peanuts” comic strips, comic book superheroes, local Long Island scenery and even several elected officials including Senator Hobart. Afterwards, the students asked questions and viewed some of Plastino’s original artwork that was on display throughout the room.

Then, it was time to pull the curtain off the plaque and unveil it to all in attendance. Upon the reveal, Plastino’s family was full of gratitude and pride. They thanked the William Floyd School District for honoring their beloved father and grandfather in this manner and handed out prints of one of his Superman illustrations to staff members as a token of their appreciation. The plaque will forever recognize Mr. Plastino’s legacy as a fantastic artist and an exceptional member of the William Floyd community.

This story was also featured in Newsday. Click here to read (subscription is required).

You can also view a video of the ceremony below!

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