At first glance, bowling and outer space might not seem to have much in common. But step into this new gallery exhibition at a popular Staten Island bowling spot and you will immediately see how connected the two can be.
This dynamic showcase features original artworks created by talented high school students from Michael J. Petrides School in collaboration with Rab’s Country Lanes. Together, they’ve transformed the familiar language of bowling into a boundless cosmic experience. Using paint, mixed media, and illustration, students reimagined bowling balls as planets, pins as constellations, lanes as glowing galaxies, and the simple act of rolling a ball as a journey through space and time.
Rooted in imagination and personal voice, the works explore themes of gravity and freedom, impact and motion, and the balance between staying grounded and dreaming far beyond what we can see. Some pieces merge Earth with outer space, suggesting that even while we stand firmly on solid ground, our ideas, identities, and creativity have no limits. Others lean into narrative, humor, and fantasy, where cosmic forces, surreal encounters, and bold color choices create movement and energy across every canvas.
What makes this exhibition especially meaningful is the partnership behind it. By collaborating with Rab’s Country Lanes, students had the opportunity to see their work displayed in a real-world setting, outside the walls of their classroom. It’s a powerful reminder of how art can bridge school, community, and industry, giving young artists a platform and a sense of purpose. These are not simply decorative pieces; they are expressions of storytelling, experimentation, and collaboration.
For many students, the experience of creating and exhibiting their work has been just as impactful as the final product.
“Anything I have drawn, it never had a right place to go, this drawing found one,” said Austin Ngan, an 11th grader.
“While drawing this, lots of ideas flowed through very quickly. Endless ideas fueled our cosmic bowling drawing. It is very special to have my art on display,” added Jason Zheng, a 10th grader.
Others focused on the emotional connection they hoped to spark. “As I drew my art, I thought about the emotion conveyed to viewers. I wanted people to feel happy and think about bowling with comfort, so I made sure to make it pop out with colors and fun,” said Aida Ali, 11th grade.
And for Jasmin Machado, also an 11th grader, nostalgia played a key role. “My main inspiration was the many diverse shows I watched when I was younger. My goal was to relate to the audience through cartoons they may have seen as well.”
