In West Orange: Liberty Middle School Holds Art Show (PHOTOS)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Liberty Middle School in West Orange held its 2nd annual NJCPTA Reflections Art Show on Jan. 28 to award students placing in the national competition.

This year’s theme was “What is Your Story?” and featured several types of art to reflect West Orange students in grades K-12, including pencil, crayon, watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography, writing, and dance.

“This was our second year presenting PTA Reflections in West Orange,” said NJPTA Reflections chairperson and West Orange resident Lee Sutton. “We increased submissions and participation, and every student participant was recognized for their work and encouraged to continue expressing themselves through art.”

Sutton, Kyra Swinney, Chair of the Essex County PTA, Superintendent Jeff Rutzky, Lou Quagliato, Fine Arts Supervisor, and Amelia Panico and Patricia Mitrano of the West Orange Arts Council encouraged students to continue their artistic pursuits. The highlights of the evening were performances by students and special appearances by the West Orange High School Boys and Girls Step teams.

Students were recognized with Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, and Honorable Mentions. All Award of Excellence winners moved on to the state competition. Winners at the state level then move on to national competition, where scholarships are given to winners.

West Orange High School senior Kennedy Fort-Foskey has moved on to national competition for her original choreographed dance routine entitled “Faders.”

National competition winners will be announced by the National PTA on May 2.

“When children express themselves through words, pictures, music, photography and other art forms, they grow intellectually, commented Sutton.

“The National PTA Reflections program helps parents encourage and recognize the continuous self-discovery process of their children,” Sutton said. “With art, children learn to analyze their thoughts, feelings, and ideas; look at objects, people and experiences in a fresh and exciting way, and develop a curiosity for the ideas and works of others. Programs like PTA Reflections allow students to cultivate and curate creative skills that give them an academic advantage.”

Next year’s theme is entitled, "Within Reach.”

To see all the photos from the event, go here. To see the photos from the Step Team performances, go to Girls Step and Boys Step teams.

Photos: West Orange Public Schools

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