Sunday, March 29, 2020

Around the State Sunday - Brick Township Public Schools Celebrate YAM

Our latest YAM Participation Post comes from MaryColleen Foley.  MaryColleen Foley is an art teacher and Athletic Director at Veterans Memorial Middle School in Brick. 


MaryColleen Foley shared images from her District-Wide Art Show, held on March 4th. In addition to teachers, students, and supervisors; the Mayor was there to do a proclamation. 









Congratulations MaryColleen Foley and the art students of Veterans Memorial Middle School! 

How are you celebrating Youth Art Month? What special events are you hosting in your classroom, school, or district? Are you planning any art activities within your community? Are you hosting any art-related PD sessions for your colleagues? Are you currently planning an art show for parents? We want to recognize you and your accomplishments! 

Please let us know how you celebrate/observe Youth Art Month by completing this google form: https://forms.gle/tYhTWjPxKaZ76os47

Sunday Student Artist Spotlight: Nicholas D.!

This week's Student Artist Spotlight is Nicholas D.!

Nicholas is an 11th grader at Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, NJ.  His art teacher is Jennifer LaScala.

In regards to his Journey Though Art, Nicholas writes, "My name is Nicholas Diaz and I am a student artist that goes to Sayreville War Memorial HS. The art class that I take now, which is ceramics, has really changed my life because it made me see my true potential of creativity. Freshman year I always passed by the ceramics room every day and I didn't even know what that class was. Every time I passed by the class I'd say to myself, "What is that class?" It looks like fun!" It was because I saw the nice ceramic works in the glass showcase. Then when I arrived in that class the first day or school sophomore year, I was so surprised that it was the one I picked and it was like a dream come true. The ceramic projects that my teacher assigned motivated me to sketch more; before I took this class I almost quit drawing. The projects that I created in that class motivated me even more to sketch out some cool ideas, and to exceed expectations on my coursework. All that showed me that progress is not linear and I should be patient and I should not give up. My teacher also gave me contests to enter, like Clay in Mind, where high school students compete from the state of NJ in entering ceramic works. My ceramic project was selected as 1 of 20 to be put on display at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA. That was the first time my where my work got displayed somewhere! I also did another competition this year, the Skutt Peep Show, and my work was selected to be on display at the National Art Educators Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is now a part of Skutt's traveling Peep Show! When everyone in the school found out Ingot picked, everyone was congratulating me. I felt so successful! Another one of my ceramic works is going on display at the Middlesex County Teen Art Festival at Middlesex County College where the public is going to see it. The last thing I have to say is that art is my true passion and that I wouldn't trade it for the world and I am going to keep exceeding expectations when I make something."




Congratulations, Nicholas!

If you would like to recognize your student artist for our spotlight segment, please fill out the google form: https://forms.gle/3mnwMBoVJoaqbuph6

Saturday, March 28, 2020

State YAM Saturday

Happy State YAM Saturday! On March 6, we celebrated some of our most talented students at our Youth Art Month Receptions in Trenton. Here are some images from the State YAM Reception and Exhibition that we were fortunate enough to have celebrated just a few short weeks ago.  A tremendous thank you to photographer Andrew James Irving for joining us, and for making these wonderful memories possible!  Please check back next week for more pictures!










Friday, March 27, 2020

Students at All Saints Day School Celebrate Youth Art Month!

Thank you Rachel Therres from All Saints Day School in Hoboken, NJ for sharing these pictures. During Youth Art Month, the school's chapter of National Junior Art Honor Society designed art lessons to share with elementary students during a special art lunch! They also participated in a 30-day drawing challenge calendar.










What special events are you hosting in your classroom, school, or district? Are you planning any art activities within your community? Are you hosting any art-related PD sessions for your colleagues? Are you currently planning an art show for parents? We want to recognize you and your accomplishments! 

Please let us know how you celebrate/observe Youth Art Month by completing this google form: https://forms.gle/tYhTWjPxKaZ76os47

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Around the State Sunday - Pride Expo at the Livingston Mall

Our next YAM Participation Post comes from Shana Falda. Shana is an Art Teacher at Orange High School in Orange, NJ. 

Shana shared an Art Display from Orange High School students at the 2020 Pride Expo held at the Livingston Mall. 

Additionally, performances and displays of artwork from West Orange Public Schools students were part of the observance. The artwork below, from Roosevelt Middle School students in West Orange was on display from February 28 - March 5.  Thank you to West Orange Art Teacher Kristy Lopez for sharing. Full schedule below.




Congratulations to the students were a part of this event!

How are you celebrating Youth Art Month? What special events are you hosting in your classroom, school, or district? Are you planning any art activities within your community? Are you hosting any art-related PD sessions for your colleagues? Are you currently planning an art show for parents? We want to recognize you and your accomplishments! 

Please let us know how you celebrate/observe Youth Art Month by completing this google form: 

Sunday Student Artist Spotlight: Anya M.!

This week's Student Artist Spotlight is Anya M.!

Anya is a 7th grader at William Allen Middle School in Moorsetown.  Her art teacher is Julia Mooney.

In regards to her Journey Though Art, Anya writes, "I think fine art makes people start to think about the world around us and learn about it to understand it more. This year I am in Honors Art and I've made work that I love and work that I've struggled with. I made a portrait of Amelia Earhart as part of our class's Visionary Women exhibition, because she is the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. I think she is really fascinating because she did not care how no one had done such a big accomplishment and even though she knew it was dangerous she overcame her fear. She ignored social norms and pursued her passion. I also created an original embroidery design featuring a bee. This design acknowledged the work of Eloise Renouf because she focuses a lot on nature and a bee is a vital part of nature. I don’t think crafts like these should be considered traditional “women’s crafts” because it doesn’t matter what gender you are to make art. We looked at lots of embroidery that broke the rules and blurred the line between craft and fine art."











Congratulations, Anya!

If you would like to recognize your student artist for our spotlight segment, please fill out the google form: https://forms.gle/3mnwMBoVJoaqbuph6

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Around the State Sunday - Westfield Celebrates YAM Downtown

Our third YAM Participation Post comes from Thomas H. Weber Jr. Thomas is the Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts for the Westfield Public School District in Westfield, NJ. 

Thomas writes: "The Westfield Public School District is celebrating the nationally acclaimed Youth Art Month with colorful and creative displays throughout the downtown area. Paintings, drawings, and sculpture designed by approximately 300 students from Westfield's ten public schools are displayed by 41 downtown merchants as well as the Westfield Memorial Library and RMC Studios in Garwood, all of whom volunteered their window or display space for the month of March. In addition, the mayor usually issues a proclamation recognizing March as Youth Art Month."







Congratulations Thomas and the art students of Westfield, NJ. 

How are you celebrating Youth Art Month? What special events are you hosting in your classroom, school, or district? Are you planning any art activities within your community? Are you hosting any art-related PD sessions for your colleagues? Are you currently planning an art show for parents? We want to recognize you and your accomplishments! 

Please let us know how you celebrate/observe Youth Art Month by completing this google form: 

Sunday Student Artist Spotlight: Aidyn L.!

This week's Student Artist Spotlight is Aidyn L.!  Aidyn is a 7th grader at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School in East Windsor, NJ. His art teacher is Tamika Diaz,

In regards to his Journey Though Art, Aidyn writes, "My mom is an art teacher, so I have always been interested in different kinds of art. I started playing guitar at 8, and always enjoyed doing art with my mom in her classroom and at home. I enjoy art because it lets me express myself, and it lets me share my thoughts and ideas in another way. 



Congratulations, Aidyn!

If you would like to recognize your student artist for our spotlight segment, please fill out the google form: https://forms.gle/3mnwMBoVJoaqbuph6

Sunday, March 8, 2020

Atlantic and Cape May County State YAM Liberty State Park Selections

Congratulations to the Atlantic and Cape May County teachers and students whose work was selected for the 2020 State Youth Art Month Exhibit at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. This Special Event will honor New Jersey's 60th year celebrating Youth Art Month. This additional state YAM exhibit will run from March 14 - 21 in the historic Central Railroad of NJ Terminal Building, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. A closing reception/awards ceremony for all students, teachers, and families will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am - 12 noon. An awards ceremony will begin at 11 am. Free, two-hour parking is available in the lot across from the terminal. Formal invitations have been mailed.



Khanya M. - Grade 12
Oakcrest High School 
Mays Landing,  NJ 


Check out all the artwork for the 2020 NJ YAM Liberty State Park Exhibit here: https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=1937491






Bergen County State YAM Liberty State Park Selections

Congratulations to the Bergen County teachers and students whose work was selected for the 2020 State Youth Art Month Exhibit at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. This Special Event will honor New Jersey's 60th year celebrating Youth Art Month. This additional state YAM exhibit will run from March 14 - 21 in the historic Central Railroad of NJ Terminal Building, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. A closing reception/awards ceremony for all students, teachers, and families will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am - 12 noon. An awards ceremony will begin at 11 am. Free, two-hour parking is available in the lot across from the terminal. Formal invitations have been mailed.


Alissa P. - Grade 2 
Memorial Elementary School
Montvale, NJ 



Das U. - Grade 11 
Bergen Arts & Science Charter School – iLearn Schools 
Hackensack, NJ 



Leaya A. - Grade 5 
Midland School
Rochelle Park, NJ 


Check out all the artwork for the 2020 NJ YAM Liberty State Park Exhibit here: https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=1937491

Burlington & Camden County State YAM Liberty State Park Selections

Congratulations to the Burlington and Camden County teachers and students whose work was selected for the 2020 State Youth Art Month Exhibit at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. This Special Event will honor New Jersey's 60th year celebrating Youth Art Month. This additional state YAM exhibit will run from March 14 - 21 in the historic Central Railroad of NJ Terminal Building, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. A closing reception/awards ceremony for all students, teachers, and families will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am - 12 noon. An awards ceremony will begin at 11 am. Free, two-hour parking is available in the lot across from the terminal. Formal invitations have been mailed.


Kayla W. - Grade 11 
Eastern Regional High School
Voorhees, NJ 



Melanie G. - Grade 8 
Mastery Cramer Hill 
Camden, NJ 



Evalize M. - Grade 8 
Mastery Cramer Hill 
Camden, NJ 


Check out all the artwork for the 2020 NJ YAM Liberty State Park Exhibit here: https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=1937491

Cumberland, Gloucester, & Salem County State YAM Liberty State Park Selections

Congratulations to the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem County teachers and students whose work was selected for the 2020 State Youth Art Month Exhibit at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ. This Special Event will honor New Jersey's 60th year celebrating Youth Art Month. This additional state YAM exhibit will run from March 14 - 21 in the historic Central Railroad of NJ Terminal Building, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305. A closing reception/awards ceremony for all students, teachers, and families will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 am - 12 noon. An awards ceremony will begin at 11 am. Free, two-hour parking is available in the lot across from the terminal. Formal invitations have been mailed.



Savannah B. - Grade 8 
Maurice River Elementary School 
Port Elizabeth NJ 



Sophia N. - Grade 3 
Rossi Elementary
Vineland, NJ 



Hayley M. - Grade 12 
Clearview Regional High School 
Mullica Hill, NJ 


Check out all the artwork for the 2020 NJ YAM Liberty State Park Exhibit here:
https://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?project=1937491