On March 31, 2017, students, families and art enthusiasts piled into the West Orange Arts Center to witness the West Orange AP Art Student Gallery Show. Music played and food platters were eaten as people circled around the circumference of the rooms to observe the artwork of the talented young artists. The West Orange Arts Council partnered with the West Orange High School AP art students for the first time to host this gallery show and the art center will continue to display the students’ work until April 22.

Prior to opening day, students spent their Saturday assembling and hanging their artwork. Ms. Young, the AP Art teacher, helped her students choose their pieces and formulate her students’ ideas. Each student shared five pieces that are distinct to each of their styles. Julian Lloyd displayed his art concentration on meat. Tori Sullivan and Santi Butler not only exhibited their 2-d artwork but presented their sewn quilts and clothing. Elika Burton merged the ideas of dancing and nature in her pieces while Mariel Go explored the topic of anxiety. Both Gabriel Andrade and Katie Meyerson visited historical moments in their concentrations. These students not only dabble in one medium but experiment in oil paint, acrylic paint, pen, colored pencil and digital media.

“I’m grateful for the amount of support that we received. It was a learning experience for me,” said senior Mariel Go. “Hopefully this will be one of many art shows that I’ll participate in.”  

Students were then awarded a Certificate of Achievement by the West Orange Arts Council. The talent displayed by the AP art students reveals this will certainly not be their last gallery show.