The West Orange Arts Council’s (WOAC) latest show features rising stars of our arts community, the West Orange High School (WOHS) Advanced Placement Studio Art Student Artists. The exhibit, from Saturday, March 5 through Saturday, April 23, 2022, is open for viewing on Saturdays from 11am -4pm. A reception will take place on Saturday, March 19 from 1-4pm at the West Orange Arts Center, 551 Valley Road, West Orange, New Jersey. Panels from the WOHS “Celebrate Pride” mural will also be on view.
In the News: ADVANCED PLACEMENT ARTISTS DEBUT WORK
West Orange Chronicle article
On display is the work of Anna Akerblom, Amelie Eder, Ian Gustavson, Olivia Horne, Michelle Kawior. E.K. Kong, Abigail Nolan, Nia Papamichalaki, and Mariana Simpson. The “Celebrate Pride” mural was created in 2021, as a collaboration between WOHS, WOAC, and the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center.
“The high school students are looking forward to their first gallery show,” says Heather Young, AP Studio art teacher. “Many are in the process of applying to colleges with an art focus. This group show will enhance their application process.”
This is the sixth year of the collaboration (with virtual shows in 2020 and 2021) among WOHS Visual and Performing Arts Director Louis Quagliato and Advanced Placement art teacher, Heather Young, WOAC’s Frank Niccoletti, and Lisa Suss, who is also the Gaelen Galleries at the JCC MetroWest gallery manager.
The WOHS Arts Program offers a variety of visual and aesthetic art courses. Students are required to complete two semesters of foundation courses before proceeding to advanced studies like advanced drawing, design, painting, graphics, and sculpture. After completing the demanding advanced courses, juniors and seniors may enroll in Advanced Placement Studio Art, producing portfolios for college admission and earning up to six advanced placement college credits.
New this year is a Gallery Host Training Program for the student artists and WOAC supporters coordinated by WOAC gift shoppe manager Liana Torrice, “Gallery hosts will have the opportunity to learn about gallery administration, which includes professionally greeting guests, discussing their artwork, and gift shoppe design management.”
“During the past two years, we were still working behind the scenes to keep the arts alive in our community,” states WOAC chair Patricia Mitrano. “This exhibit gives us the opportunity to support young local artists and reconnect with each other.”
For more information about the West Orange Arts Council and West Orange Arts Center gallery and gift shoppe hours, visit www.woarts.org.