More than 80 guests filled The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery at SUNY Westchester Community College’s Peekskill extension on Thursday, Feb. 12, for the opening reception of the Illustration & Animation Showcase 2026 — an exhibition celebrating graduates of the college’s certification programs Illustration and 2D Animation and 3D Animation. 

The showcase marked the culmination of a year of intensive, hands-on training designed to prepare students for careers in illustration, animation, and digital storytelling. Launched in fall 2024, the certification programs moves students from foundational skill-building to professional portfolio production, equipping them with industry tools and real-world creative experience. 

Program instructor David Abrevaya, who helped develop the curriculum, has been central to shaping that pipeline. Beyond the classroom, he serves as the 2024-2026 Artist Chair for Peekskill’s Business Improvement District and sits on the board of the Peekskill Arts Alliance. 

Opening the evening, Abrevaya addressed the packed gallery, framing the exhibition not only as a student showcase, but as a professional milestone. “What you’ve achieved here is no small feat,” he said. “This is the kind of work that builds real portfolios and opens real doors.” 

Program instructors Emmanuel Jaquez Reyes, Joseph Thomas and Program Director Sherry Mayo also offered brief remarks, congratulating students and recognizing the dedication behind the exhibition. 

Abrevaya closed the remarks by saying, “Peekskill isn’t just an arts town, it’s a place where the creative economy is alive and growing. We’re right here in a community full of opportunities for artists.” 

As guests moved through the space, that momentum was visible. Large-scale vinyl prints filled the gallery, illustrations lined the walls, animated reels played across digital screens, and sculptural 3D works were installed throughout. Faculty selected each exhibited piece from projects completed over the past year, curating what Abrevaya described as the students’ “absolute best pieces.” 

Throughout the evening, many artists stood beside their work, portfolios in hand, speaking with attendees about their inspiration, process and growth. 

For Koby Clark, storytelling anchors his practice. His featured piece, Cabin Fever, originated in a world-building course where he began developing characters and environments for a comic before expanding it into a story centered on an imposter hidden among a space crew. 

“This course was an opportunity for me to come out of my shell and produce pieces I’m comfortable sharing with others.” Clark said, calling the experience “eye-opening.” 

Remy Sainsot’s exhibited self-portrait took an introspective direction, exploring themes of mental health. “I struggle with mental health issues, so I wanted to incorporate that,” they shared, noting the piece went through six drafts before completion. “It was a lot of sketching, feedback, then implementing that feedback… rinse and repeat.” 

That creative persistence shifted their professional outlook. “At the start of this course, I wasn’t sure that I could make this into a career. Now I know that I can.” 

Eliza Hernandez presented Ashes and Ghosts, a panel from her developing comic Bloodline, which explores generational trauma and the breaking of family curses. 

“I looked back at older pages today and felt pride,” she said. “This program has taken my work miles from where I was. I didn’t even know I had it in me.” 

For Abrevaya, witnessing that evolution is the program’s greatest success. 

“I want them to know this is a real career path they’re capable of taking,” he said, pointing to opportunities across freelance, studio and in-house creative roles. “Honestly, I couldn’t be more proud. It’s heartwarming to see them growing into professional artists and finally being able to take themselves seriously.” 

The Illustration & Animation Showcase remains on view through April 23, offering an immersive look at emerging artists shaping the future of comics, animation, and digital media — and a glimpse into a workforce pipeline developing in the heart of Peekskill’s arts community.