18 Apr ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE WELCOMES STUDENT ARTISTS TO ESSEX COUNTY MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. JUSTICE BUILDING County Partners with Art Educators of New Jersey to Highlight the Creative Talents of Essex County’s Students
Published on April 18, 2024
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. and the Art Educators of New Jersey welcomed 46 students from throughout Essex County to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building in Newark for the Art Educators of New Jersey student art exhibit on Wednesday, April 17th. This is the 17th year DiVincenzo has partnered with the Art Educators of New Jersey to highlight student artwork at the Essex County Government Complex.
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. 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 to present 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.
“I want to thank Joe DiVincenzo for partnering with us again. The arts are an essential part of the community and programs such as this support our students’ opportunity to express themselves,” said 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.
“There is no better place to host this exhibit than here in the Essex County Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building because it is itself a living gallery of art. 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,” NJ Senate Majority Leader and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“The display is a great contribution from our students. I appreciate the skill you have and the work you do,” Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said.
“When I walked into this lobby and saw the student artwork, I was inspired by the creativity. As artists, our students have brought to life what they imagined in their minds,” Deputy Chief of Staff and Human Resources Director Jackie Jones said.
This year’s show featured original works of art created by 48 students who ranged in age from elementary school to high school level. The students came from 14 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: Eiann Vasquez-DeJesus, Alejandro Echevarria, Solange Valladolid, Keyla Yupa Yupa, Dayana Casarez, Alex Huerzo, Victoria Rivas and Mario Cruz
- Deerfield School in Short Hills: Oliva Feldman and Maxwell Dai
- Delia Bolden Elementary School in Maplewood: Isaac Yerasi, Frederick McDaniel, Charles McDonough and Abigail Crye
- East Orange Community Charter School in East Orange: Aspen Carter, Desmond Esonwume and Jackson Cenesca
- East Ward Elementary School in Newark: Lavinia Eduarda de Souza, Kevin Tapia and Nicollas Rodrigues Antunes
- Glenwood School in Millburn: Abril Reyes Martinez, Sophia Herrmann and Noa Levine
- Link Community Charter School in Newark: Juanita Joseph and Dejaun Gray
- Livingston High School: Brooklyn Phillip, Hannah Shi and Riley Skrief
- Newark Vocational High School in Newark: Eliot Francisco, Angel Reyes and Matthew McSween
- Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston: Leah Susser, Tara Cantor and Orli Hirsch
- Riker Hill Elementary School in Livingston: Tru Blue, Alexa Zhong and Kseniia Dovban
- South Mountain School in Millburn: Noah Pechar and Mia Salk.
- West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell: Megan Shaw, Helena Lubnow, Meadow Doerr, Chloe Levine and Brigid O’Boyle
- Wyoming Elementary School in Millburn: Lei Shan, Valentina Bianco and Tom Arantes
The Student Art Exhibit is part of the County Executive’s initiative to recognize the accomplishments of Essex County students.
