County Partners with Art Educators of New Jersey for 12th Consecutive Year to Highlight the Creative Talents of Essex County’s Students

[Newark, NJ]  – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Art Educators of New Jersey welcomed 102 students from throughout Essex County to the Hall of Records for the Art Educators of New Jersey student art exhibit on Monday, March 28th. This is the 12th consecutive year DiVincenzo has partnered with the Art Educators of New Jersey to present the student artists exhibit at the Hall of Records.

During the month of March, the first floor lobby of the Hall of Records was transformed into a student art gallery. Employees and visitors to the county building were treated to the colorful and lifelike portraits, paintings and drawings.

“Essex County has some very creative and talented student artists at all age levels from elementary to high school. The original artwork that is included in our exhibit is truly inspiring,” DiVincenzo said. “I am proud to have been a partner with the Art Educators of New Jersey for a decade presenting this exhibit. This is an opportunity to promote our students’ positive achievements and enables the general public to see the talent in our schools,” he added.

“This is a wonderful observance to emphasize the value of art education for children of all ages and encourage support for art programs in our public schools,” said Catherine Kondreck, Chairwoman of the 2016 New Jersey Art Educators of New Jersey Essex County Exhibit. “These students have worked very hard and it is wonderful to have them receive this recognition. Kudos to them and our county leaders for continuing to put Essex County and our children first! We especially want to thank the County Executive for giving us the opportunity to share the talents of our students with the public,” she noted.

This year’s show featured original works of art created by 102 students from who ranged in age from elementary school to high school level. The students came from 22 different Essex County schools. The students whose drawings and paintings that were featured in the exhibit are as follows:

  • Abington Avenue Elementary School in Newark: Isabella Ruiz, Samuel Linares, Marina Jerez, Kevelyn Matias, Johanna Campos, Mark Cardenas, Ashley Romero, Dalein Lugo, Alejandro Echevarria and Karla Quinteros-Gonzalez
  • Abundant Life Academy in Nutley: Gehrig Gucciardo
  • Belleville High School: Courtney Augusto, Mibrar Reza Choudhury, Julianne Antero, Joseph Nguyen, Emely Mendez, Krystal Diaz, Madeline Canete, Jada Gadsden, Evelyn Ortiz and Kristine Lopez
  • Belleville Elementary School #3: Stefan Valcuha, Brianna Cano and Segall Sanchez
  • Burnet Hill Elementary School in Livingston: Bennett Fong, Allison Ritch and Jasmine Zhao
  • Mt. Pleasant Elementary School in Livingston: Emma Xing and Mitchell Snow
  • East Orange Community Charter School in East Orange: Uin Williams, Zamya Tucker, Victoria Rose, Laila Reeves and Maria Pablo Sosa
  • Elliott Street Elementary School in Newark: Alexandra Gongora, John Arellano, Jeremiah Boscano, Adianis Francisco and Jonathan Pillacela
  • Essex Valley School in West Caldwell: Yasin Branch, Zuri Norfleet, Ingy Kaleny, Rashanna Andrews-Spencer and Davon Strickland
  • Garfield Jackson Academy in East Orange: Asiyah Hack-Russell
  • Glen Ridge High School: Sara Swett, Bryanna O’Keefe, Olivia Steele, Elizabeth Hauschild and Chase Moriarty
  • Glenfield Middle School in Montclair: Nicki Rose, Ellary Jenkins, Victoria Raines, Jackson Martin and Gus Moore-Manakas
  • Glenwood Elementary School in Short Hills: Suved Wali, Kayla Cormier, Selena Yu and Audrey Meehan
  • Johnnie Cochran Academy in East Orange: Joleen Eugene and Willie Odom
  • Liberty Middle School in West Orange: Rose Murphy Braunstein, Tiffany Ramnarine, Jack Mault, Aaron Carerio and Anthony Chapman
  • Merit Preparatory Charter School in Newark: Jeanethe Joseph, Vernethe Joseph, Nalani Carter and Emani Barrett
  • Mount Hebron Middle School in Montclair: Kathryn Brutzman, Alex Stubin, Elijah Valentine, Rachel Phillips, Sheila Estrada, Madeline Reath, Yabesera Yemane, Lucy Ziesing and Chris Last
  • Mount Pleasant Elementary School in West Orange: Eliyahu Brickman, Jaxson Targonski, Chloe Zeng, Catherine Topps and George Herbert
  • Rosa Parks Community School in Orange: William Morocho, Anthony Pinder and Wilson Morocho
  • Roseville Community Charter School in Newark: Rosbelys Azcona, Juniel Esmeralda Carpio, Shirley Ochoa Mundo, Aracelly Alvarez and Eibbeyam Vega
  • Trinity Academy in Caldwell: Ysabelle Francisco, Ruby Angelina Palombo Faust, Paul Conklin, Isabella Calello and Michelle Malagiere
  • West Essex Regional Middle School in Caldwell: Gillian Wolf, Brianna Puorro, Skylar DiFabio, John Fiore and Sydney Fishman

The Student Art Exhibit is part of the County Executive’s initiative to recognize the accomplishments of Essex County students. The Executive also has hosted recognition ceremonies for the top high school basketball, track and field and girls softball teams. High-achieving students from the Essex County Vocational-Technical School System are also recognized each month during the Executive’s Teamwork Award Program.