The West Orange Arts Center (WOAC) is hosting a special art show of young talent from the Advanced Placement Studio. These are art students from the West Orange High School (WOHS). Every year, the West Orange Arts Council collaborates with the high school students to create an extraordinary showcase of young artistic talent.
The West Orange Arts Council, in partnership with the Visual and Performing Arts Program at West Orange High School, presents the work of Advanced Placement Studio Art students Daniella Aghahowa, Justice Cillo Smith, Damien Delisca, Destiny Dimitrova, Ryan Dumay, Amaya Field, Pricila Minchala, Zoe Perlman, Delailah Santana, Maiyah Santana, Francesca Schuler, Dylan Suriano Garland and Alana Williams at the West Orange Arts Center.
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The exhibit runs Saturday, March 9 through Saturday, March 30, 2024, at the West Orange Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shop, 551 Valley Road, West Orange, New Jersey. The Gallery hours are Saturdays Noon-4 pm and by appointment. The community is invited to an artists’ reception on Saturday, March 23, from 1-3 pm.
The students themselves got the experience of installing their own artworks at the West Orange Art Council gallery on March 8 led by Advanced Placement Art Teacher Ms. Heather Young. They were supported by West Orange Art Council’s Elizabeth Berwind and Vice-Chair, Lois Condon of the exhibits committee.
Heather Young says, “Our students prepare for this show all year and for many, it is their first gallery experience,” and she added, “Although in recent years our talented young artists have been invited to exhibit in the NJ Teen Arts Festival, South Orange Performing Art Center (SOPAC). Inspiring Minds, and at Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.’s distinguished Congressional Art Reception.”
Ms. Berwind, who participated in this same show as a senior herself being a student of West Orange High school Class of 2019. She said, “It’s exciting for me to give back as an adult artist in this show, which meant a lot to me when I was a student at West Orange High School. I’m glad that the tradition is continuing.”
This exhibit isn’t just about showcasing talent; it’s also about fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This is the seventh year of the collaboration between West Orange High School Visual and Performing Arts Director Louis Quagliato and the West Orange Art Council. The West Orange High School Arts Program offers a variety of visual and aesthetic art courses designed for personal enrichment or in preparation for an art-related career. Students are required to complete two semesters of foundation courses before proceeding to Advanced Placement Studio Art, producing portfolios for college admission and earning up to six advanced placement college credits.
“It’s a great partnership that allows us to support and celebrate West Orange’s student artists,” states Chair of the West Orange Art Council, Patricia Mitrano. “We are working hard to find funds to expand our high school program to ultimately offer internships in gallery management.”
Patricia also said, “I can see that for the students participating in this exhibit that is an opportunity to showcase their artworks to the world. This exhibit experience I’m sure could be both exciting and rewarding.”
The West Orange Arts Council’s mission is to cultivate, inspire, and support the arts in West Orange. Area artists and community leaders remain the core of this all-volunteer organization that operates the West Orange Arts Center Gallery and Gift Shop at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ. For more info visit www.woarts.org, www.facebook.com/woac.org or email us here.