NEWARK, NJ — Several students from Newark were recently chosen to display their artwork at a recent county exhibit.
Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and the Art Educators of New Jersey welcomed 46 students from throughout the region to the Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Building in Newark earlier this month. It’s the 17th year that the county has partnered with the Art Educators of New Jersey to highlight student artwork at the Essex County Government Complex.
This year’s show featured original works of art created by 48 students who ranged in age from elementary school to high school level.
Students from Newark who were chosen for the display include:
- Abington Avenue Elementary School in Newark: Eiann Vasquez-DeJesus, Alejandro Echevarria, Solange Valladolid, Keyla Yupa Yupa, Dayana Casarez, Alex Huerzo, Victoria Rivas and Mario Cruz
- East Ward Elementary School in Newark: Lavinia Eduarda de Souza, Kevin Tapia and Nicollas Rodrigues Antunes
- Link Community Charter School in Newark: Juanita Joseph and Dejaun Gray
- Newark Vocational High School in Newark: Eliot Francisco, Angel Reyes and Matthew McSween
During the months of March and April, the first-floor lobby of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Building 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,” DiVincenzo said. “The original artwork that is included in our exhibit is truly inspiring.”
“The work created by our youth for this exhibition shows just how important art education is and that it should not be shortchanged in the curriculum,” New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz said.
“The arts are an essential part of the community and programs such as this support our students’ opportunity to express themselves,” agreed Amanda Palumbo, an art teacher with Abington Avenue Elementary School and coordinator of the Essex County Chapter of the Art Educators of New Jersey Student Art Exhibit.
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