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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.