60th Anniversary of the United Nations:
Celebrating Multiculturalism in NJ
Youth Art Month
Flag Design Winner
is a sophomore from
Bergen County
IN THIS ISSUE
Celebrate our Differences, our Commonalities our Uniqueness
Alonzrea Austin
Executive Board
Reports:
p.2
Regional News: p. 4
Division News:
p. 5
Grant Information: p. 7
Multicultural Focus:
p. 6 & 7
Conference Report:
p. 8 & 9
Youth Art Month News:
p. 10 & 11
Member News:
p.12
Mt. Vernon Elementary School of the Newark Public Schools District embodies
these qualities. It is one of the largest and most diverse schools in New Jersey.
Presently, one thousand forty students attend the school consisting of grades prekindergarten to the eighth grade housed in two buildings. The students and staff
come from 43 different countries and speak 31 languages.
During November, which is Multicultural Month, Mt. Vernon’s students celebrated
their diversity with a variety of programs and activities. Ms. Bertha Dyer, Principal,
has set the goal of creating a more cohesive and unified atmosphere between
students, school and community. The art department, which consists of AENJ
members, Alonzrea (Lonnie) Austin and Laura Salley, sent home a letter and paper doll requesting the doll to be dressed in the family’s country of origin. With the
support of the administration and staff, over 1,000 dolls were cut out and taken
home by the students. The response has been spectacular. School family and
staff members returned the dolls dressed in an assortment of materials, beads,
sequins, wig hair, jewelry, etc. The dolls are displayed on the first floor with the
name of the country written below them.
As you walk through the corridors of Mt. Vernon you receive a sense of family and
cooperation. Its diverse population makes each day an interesting learning experience
For more on Multiculturalism or any article in Artbeat, go to the
AENJ Website: www.aenj.org
Executive Board
President’s Message
Dr Kim Defibaugh
Wow! What else can one say after the conference
we experienced October? It was a visual pleasure
with the Artsonia display in the ballroom lobby of the
DoubleTree Hotel, the AENJ Executive Board “Palette
Parade” near the entrance to the vendors at the
Exhibit Center, and the 2006 AENJ calendar design
display and 2005 YAM exhibit also in the lobby of the Exhibit Center. And
what about the hands-on experiences available to everyone on Tuesday
and Wednesday thanks to Sanford, Binney & Smith, and Sax Arts and
Crafts? The Grand Slam and DreamMakers events provided members
an opportunity to simultaneously create and collaborate with their peers. I
hope you all were able to hear Christo and Jeanne-Claude share plans for
their current project, “The River” and Laura Chapman explain the impact
of “No Child Left Behind” on visual arts education in the United States.
We all owe a debt of thanks to our Conference Chair, Susan Bivona, the
many members of her conference committee, and all of our presenters
and vendors. Their hard work provided conference attendees with well
over 100 opportunities for professional growth. I’m sure many of you took
numerous ideas home from this conference and “Created Connections”
between your experiences at the conference and your practices in the
classroom.
So what’s next? By the time you receive this issue of Artbeat, 2006 Youth
Art Month preparations will be well underway. Several designs will have
been selected to be made into the 2006 NJ Youth Art Month poster, button,
billboard and invitation for the Trenton YAM receptions. Thanks to all
the teachers who submitted student designs for the annual competition.
For the first time ever, all 21 counties will have their own YAM exhibits.
Thanks to Laura Petrovich-Cheney, the 2006 NJ YAM Chair, and the 21
wonderful AENJ members who are willing to donate their time and efforts
toward promoting art education throughout our state by exhibiting student
art in public venues. For six years in a row, New Jersey has received
top Youth Art Month awards from the Council for Art Education, Inc. for
increasing support for quality art education programs for all New Jersey
students. Our incoming Governor, Jon Corzine, has been very supportive
of art education in New Jersey. In both March 2004 and 2005, he invited
the NJ YAM flag designer to his Senate office in Washington, DC to help
recognize NJ Youth Art Month. We look forward to his continued support.
Plans are also underway for a professional development opportunity for
our members in the spring of 2006. Rick Lasher and Harry Bower are
scheduling studio tours, lectures and hands-on events that will entice you
to spend a Saturday with us in Island Heights. And let’s not forget that
the National Art Education Association convention will be held in Chicago,
March 22-26, 2006. Many New Jersey art educators are slated to present
lectures and workshops to art educators from all over our country. What
a great way to share New Jersey’s finest practices with our peers! As
we look forward to 2006, know that AENJ will continue to dedicate efforts
Left -> Right:: Susan Bivona, President-Elect; Linda Devlin, Vice
President; Nancy Knusen, Immediate Past-President; Gene
Neglia, Treasurer; Laura Cheney, Advocacy Chair; Barbara Calvo, Member Services; Val Negra, Historian; Debbie Greh, Communications Chair; Harry Bower, Recording Secretary
towards advocating art education and providing new
opportunities for our members’ professional growth.
As we ring in the new year, it is appropriate to introduce
the 2005-2006 AENJ executive board to our members.
Elected positions are held for two years and appointed
board members hold their positions for one year. New
to our board this year is Harry Bower who will be our
recording secretary. Harry teaches art at Toms River HS
East. Many of you know him as you have attended his
book making workshops at AENJ and NJEA conferences.
Other changes include Valerie Negra as AENJ Historian,
Laura Petrovich-Cheney as Advocacy Chair, Dr. Debbie
Greh as Communications Chair, and Public Relations
duties will be shared by Valerie Negra and Dr. Kim
Defibaugh.
From Member Services
Barbara Calvo
2
The AENJ conference is behind us and I keep thinking of the many members who arrived
at the conference thinking they were pre-registered only to discover that their school
district sent in their check late or not at all!
I want to thank those of you who accepted this fact without verbally abusing those of
us volunteering at the registration booth. The fact of the matter is that your registration
needs to be accompanied by a check, personal or district. Purchase orders continue to be
a HUGE PROBLEM. Once generated from a schools’ business office, purchase orders
can take up to 3 months to be paid. They come to Barbara Mancuso or to me (the other
Barbara) to be signed and returned. Once the district receives the signed purchase order,
the district pays them according to a priority schedule, thus the time delay. To avoid this
situation in the future, why not pay out of pocket and get reimbursed from your district
after the conference. Even if your district won’t reimburse you, wouldn’t you attend the
conference anyway? The conference is such a great way to begin the school year…
getting you motivated and inspired with new ideas! If your school is adamant about using
purchase orders, it is up to you to put in your request early, making sure your business
office is aware of the early registration deadline. Keep checking on the process even if
you have to mail out the district check yourself!
Please make sure your application accompanies the check. If your membership information
is incomplete, it will delay processing your membership and conference registration.
Thank you for you patience and continued support as a member of AENJ.
ArtBeat Editorial Board
and Staff
Editor-in-Chief: Cynthia Henn
Assignment Editor:
Debbie Greh
Photography Editor
Alonzrea Austin
Contributing Editor
Camille Leonow
Advertising Editor Susan Bivona
Layout Staff Debbie Greh, Ruth
Kaplan
Reporters: Cheryl Parisi, Susan
Bivona, Nancy Knutsen, Laura
Cheney, Linda Devlin, Kim
Defibaugh
In an Era of Accountability … You Have to Count!
The New Jersey Visual and Performing Arts Survey
Art a Community Connection
How many schools in New Jersey have arts education programs?
More importantly, how many do not? How many children across
the state are involved with our arts education programs? How many
children do not have access to arts education at all? The answer
is… we do not know!
The Somerset Art Association (SAA) in Bedminister, NJ was filled with
“Bigs” and “Littles” on Saturday, November 5, 2005 when Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Hunterdon/Somerset County took
part in a Day of Art.
But, we will! These and many other compelling questions will be
answered as a result of the upcoming New Jersey Visual and
Performing Arts Survey, part of the New Jersey Arts Education
Census Project.
Inspired by her husband Patrick’s volunteer work
with his little, Susan Bivona organized the day
and led the ‘students’ through several projects,
including Model-Magic Puppets and Wire
Sculpture portraits”
New Jersey Arts Education Census Project (NJAECP) is a
partnership of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the NJ
Department of Education, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation,
Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey and the Music for All Foundation.
The New Jersey Arts Education Census Project will create a 360degree view of arts education in New Jersey schools.
The initiative encompasses five objectives that include: implementing
a statewide survey on the current status of arts education in New
Jersey public primary and secondary schools; connecting the
survey results with additional demographic information; creating a
New Jersey Arts Education Research Center; developing a national
model that will link data; and creating a process to annually update
the data.
The research will quantify student enrollment in arts education
programs for each school, establish spending patterns over time
for arts education, providing a basis for analyses of growth and
decline of enrollment relative to other school programs. In addition,
economic, demographic, census, school report card and growth
forecasts will all be linked together to provide context regarding
additional factors that impact access to arts education in a
community. The final results will be housed in the New Jersey Arts
Education Research and Information Center, which will be hosted
on the web.
Of particular interest is the New Jersey Visual and Performing Arts
Survey - a statewide school-by-school mandatory survey for the
visual and performing arts. The field test of the New Jersey Visual
and Performing Arts Survey has been completed and evaluated
and preparations for the mandatory state-wide survey in January
2006 have already begun.
Here is how you can help:
Each NJ public school (not district) will be asked to provide
information regarding the types of arts courses provided, student
enrollment in each course, the number and qualifications of
teachers, curriculum, etc. We are asking each of you to help gather
the information for your principal so we can have the most complete
and accurate data possible. You assistance will be a great help to
your principal and to this project as well.
A review of the survey tool will guide you to the type of information
requested in the survey. A letter to all of the principals from
Commissioner of Education will arrive at your school this Winter
to provide each school with a “heads up” regarding the upcoming
survey and to begin the information gathering process.
By working together we will ensure we have quality information to
inform all of our work so we may create an educational system in
New Jersey that truly provides an arts education … for all!
Ongoig updates to the project including the current draft of the New
Jersey Visual and Performing Arts Survey may be accessed by
going to: http://www.music-for-all.org/NJAEC/
For additional information contact:
Bob Morrison, Robin Middleman, Dale Schmid
Music for All Foundation
NJ State Council on the Arts
NJ Department of Education
(908) 542-9396
(609) 984-6130
(609)984-6308
Susan Bivona
The projects were designed to help the children
and their mentors explore relationships with each
other and the program. With the Wire Sculpture
Portraits, the Bigs and Littles switched roles
by sculpting each other with thick aluminum
sculpture wire and colorful Twisteez wire. The
early class reversed roles by creating puppets with Model-Magic and
brightly colored construction paper and markers.
“The kids loved all of the supplies that Crayola donated,” said Becky
Kriebel, Senior Case Manager of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
“It is easy to be creative when you have such a wonderful studio space
to work in.” When the children arrived, they were welcomed with a table
full of goodies & tasty snack provided by the SAA Volunteers.
“With the support of Robyn (Tromeur), Director of SAA & the SAA Board,
we were able to set up the class to accommodate all who attended,”
commented Susan, Art Teacher at Mount Prospect School in Basking
Ridge. “I would also like to thank Mike Pecci at Crayola for supporting
this project and supplying everything from markers to Model-Magic.”
The vision of Big Brothers Big Sisters is successful mentoring
relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to
better schools, brighter futures, and stronger communities for all. “I
think the Bigs had as much fun as the Littles,” observed Becky. “The
mission of Big Brothers/Big Sisters program is to connect volunteers
with children to help inspire them to see beyond their surroundings. Art
can open doors to so many wonderful ideas.”
If you live in Hunterdon or Somerset County and are interested in
becoming involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program you can
contact Ms. Kriebel at 908 730-7773.
Central New Jersey Arts Community Day in Washington, DC
Dr. Kim Defibaugh
On Wednesday, September 14, 2005, Representative Rush Holt, invited 63
members of the New Jersey arts community to attend his Central New Jersey
Arts Community Day in Washington, DC. Among those attending were AENJ
President Dr. Kim L. Defibaugh and Hands and Minds Director Rick Lasher.
Congressman Holt welcomed the participants and shared his philosophy of the
importance of the arts in the lives of New Jersey citizens. The day included 7 guest
speakers: US Representative Louise Slaughter from New York Art (Issues in the
109th Congress), Diane Austin from the US Dept. of Education (Arts Education
Grants Programs), Narrie Rome from Americans for the Arts (Generating Public
and Private Resources for the Arts and Arts Education), US Representative
David Price from North Carolina (Humanities Issues in the 109th Congress), Dr.
Peggy O’Brien from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (Creating Quality
Educational Programming and Community Partnerships), US Representative
Chris Shays from Connecticut (Arts Issues in the 109th Congress), Dana Gioia
from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA Overview, National Initiatives,
and Grants) and surprise guest Carol King (who sang a few bars from ”I Feel the
Earth Move”). Congressman Holt and his staff graciously provided participants a
delicious lunch. The day ended with a tour of the Capitol Art Collection conducted
by Capitol Curator, Dr. Barbara Wolanin, a group photo on the Capitol steps, and
closing remarks by Congressman Holt.
More information about topics discussed may be found on the following web
sites:
National Endowment for the Arts: http://www.arts.gov
Americans for the Arts: http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org
Dept. of Education Grant Programs: http://www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/
grantapps or http://www.ee.gov/fund/grant/find/edllite-forecast.html
3
Regional News
AENJ Central
Secondary Division
Question: ”I work in Central and I live in North, where do I go?” The
The newly reorganized Advisory Council has been
working diligently to firmly establish itself as a truly
representative governing body of AENJ. Our mission is
to advance the goals and purpose of our organization by
making recommendations to the AENJ Board regarding
professional development and advocacy programs.
Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Middlesex, Union and Monmouth
counties
Jessica Musolino & Marge Mayers-Co-Leaders
Laurel Suk-Treasurer
Marie Corfield-Secretary
Nancy Knutsen - Advisory Council Representative
answer is easy….anywhere you would like? What sounds interesting
to you? Then attend that workshop, trip, and/or meeting. As an AENJ
member you may attend all regional “events”.
Check out www.aenj.org for calendar of events.
The only “activity” that requires you act through a particular region is
YOUTH ART MONTH, you must submit student artwork to the county
site chair of your school’s county.
AENJ Central is just “starting up”. If you are interested in getting involved
please contact Nancy Knutsen [email protected]. The Next AENJ Central
meeting will be Thursday, January 5, 2006 @ 4:00pm in Flemington, NJ
at the Barley Sheaf Elementary School on Barley Sheaf Road.
See you at the next Central meeting and/or event!
AENJ South
Upcoming Events:
February 18, 2006 - Batik Resist Painting Process Sandra Jones,
Leader
February 25 2006, Baltimore Annual Craft Fair, Joan Balster, leader
March 25, Colored Pencils - Portraits, Gary Armstrong, leader
For Information contact:
Angel Shectman [email protected]
Diane Dreissen [email protected]
Camille Leonow, [email protected]
It is my intention to communicate with you on a regular
basis in Artbeat and invite you to share news about your
own exhibitions as well as your high school student
exhibitions and other visual arts events throughout the
state. Please e-mail me and keep me informed about
contest winners, honors and scholarship awards so that
we can report it in Artbeat.
At our first annual Divisions Meeting at the Fall
Conference I had the pleasure of meeting many of you in
the secondary division who are very much interested in
forming focus groups to share best practices and other
professional experiences. Our first Secondary Focus
Group Meeting will take place at Union High School on
Saturday, January 21st from 10am to 1pm. Our main
goal for this meeting will be to study the responses to the
HS Division Questionnaire and identify topics for future
workshops and conference strands. If you would like to
attend this meeting, please let me know by December
21st. Also please contact me if you need a copy of the
questionnaire to complete yourself.
The Friends of State Teen Arts have announced that
the State Teen Arts Festival will be held on May 24 and
25 at the College of New Jersey. Contact your County
Freeholders Office for information about your local
County Teen Arts event and how to register your school
for the festivals.
High School students whose work is selected for the State
Youth Art Month Exhibition will be honored, along with
their teacher, at a special reception at the State Capitol
Building in Trenton on Wednesday March 15. To qualify
enter student work in your county YAM Exhibit. Check the
time and place for county YAM events in Artbeat.
Teacher Discounts:
Did You Know:
Paper Mill Playhouse NJEA members 20%
off any mainstage show. Box
office 973-376-4343
Tropicana Atlantic City Teachers free to
every IMAX movie! Call group
sales 24 hours ahead. 1-888-505-1435
4
Divisional News
High School Scholarship
Deadline March 15th 2006
Elementary Division Report
The Art Educators of New Jersey scholarships are awarded
to high school students who exemplify the qualities of
outstanding scholarship, service, and visual ability within
their area of specialization. The Art Educators of New
Jersey will grant scholarships when sufficient funds and
qualified candidates are available.
The AENJ conference gave me an unparalleled opportunity to
connect with many of the elementary art teachers in the state. More
elementary questionnaires were filled out and I want to take this time
to share with you all what information has been gathered from these
questionnaires.
Senior High School Student Scholarship Award
Candidates for this award include high school seniors
interested in pursuing the study of visual art or art education
in any public or private school of higher learning. It is our
intention to select a student whose submission is diversified.
The nominator must be an active member of AENJ for a
period of not less than two years.
Upon certification by the AENJ Scholarship Committee with
the ratification of the AENJ Executive Board, the award
monies will be applied as tuition directly to the institution
of higher learning. This award totals at least $1,000.00. All
information must be completed and received by the AENJ
Scholarship chair no later than March 15th.
Contact Nancy Knutsen
You will find forms in the Fall issue of Artbeat or online at
www.aenj.org
AENJ Student Chapter
Dr. Jane Graziano, [email protected]
Ellen Silverman
Here is the Elementary Questionnaire report as of November 5,
2005. So far we have had 78 respondents, with 33 from this year’s
conference.
The teachers responding have come from a wide range; geographic,
school type and various teaching experiences.
AENJ members look to AENJ first for professional development,
followed by information about core curriculum standards and then
advocacy.
There were many requests for frequent and more regional professional
development offerings. Some areas are already responding to this
need. South has a strong regional group. This strength is evident by
their calendar of professional development events. Please remember
to check the AENJ website for their calendar and other valuable
information. North is also organized and have a base for working
together for offering more professional development opportunities
in that region. Volunteers in the central region have enthusiastically
begun organizing there, too.
There is a strong response for small study groups among art teachers.
I am planning to have three meetings this spring addressing this issue.
These meetings will be in a museum in or close to the three regions.
The meetings will consist of a meeting on forming small study groups
and a tour of the museum. I hope that to see you all at one of these
events. Stay tuned for more information.
I would like to take this opportunity to launch this column
for higher education by introducing one of AENJ’s most
valuable resources, The AENJ Student Chapter. This
year’s conference in Somerset brought many wonderful
opportunities for art educators to further their expertise
by participating in workshops, attending presentations
by colleagues and keynote speakers, and trying out new
media in the vendor exhibit hall. But worth more than
mere mention is the little known 2nd Annual Student
Roundtables.
Between this and last year’s AENJ’s Student Chapter
roundtable event, thirty-six art education students from
some of our state’s finest colleges and universities shared
the spotlight as they presented a variety of creative and
innovative ways to teach art concepts to children through
lessons titled, “Edible Color Wheels” and “Handy Warhol”.
They also presented important information on interviewing
for jobs in “Preparing Interview Portfolios” and tackled
exploratory sensory art-based learning in “Expressing
Emotion through Motion”. These young presenters came
from Montclair State, Kean, Rowan, and Jersey City State
Universities. Not only does this event provide our future art
educators with a venue for presenting their ideas but new
friends are made from across the state.
Congratulations to all who participated in the roundtable
event! Our hope for the years to come is that more
students take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Please contact the AENJ Student Chapter at
[email protected] for proposal deadlines and
applications.
Do you have news from higher education you would like to
have printed in this column? Contact Dr. Jane Graziano
[email protected].
5
Multicultural Museums and their Role in
Education
An example from the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art.
Sixty years ago, Mrs. Jacques Marchais founded a museum of
Tibetan Art. Since then, the museum, originally a showplace for her
personal collection of rare Tibetan Buddhist art has developed into an
internationally known museum focusing on the importance of Tibetan
art and culture.
In 1921, Jacques Marchais and her third husband, Harry Klauber,
purchased a large home and property on Lighthouse Avenue in Staten
Island. Shortly thereafter, Jacques Marchais began seriously collecting
Asian art, particularly Tibetan Buddhist Art. She also amassed and read
an extensive collection of scholarly books on Tibetan art and culture.
Mrs. Marchais opened an elegant Asian art gallery, the Jacques
Marchais Gallery, on 51st Street in Manhattan, in 1938, which remained
open for ten years. Being an art dealer facilitated her acquisition of
select pieces through dealers and auction houses. Jacques Marchais
expressly reserved the most valuable items with the goal of housing
them in a museum.
Perhaps, world events of her time, the Depression and World War
II, influenced her interest in a culture that valued compassion.
Unfortunately, Jacques Marchais died just four months after the opening
of the Museum. The museum remained open to the public after her
death, and for a long time it remained a collection of exotic Tibetan
sculpture. Through improved scholarship and advances in the Museum
profession, the Museum now serves visitors from all 50 states and 39
foreign countries through a robust schedule of exhibits, educational
programs, and publications.
Jacques Marchais could not have foreseen the Chinese occupation
of Tibet in 1949. Geopolitical events in that region of the world have
forced Tibetan culture to survive in exile. Many artifacts from that
region can now only be seen in select museums. These collections are
important for two reasons: to serve as a record of a culture now lost so
that Tibetans can reconstruct and maintain their own histories, and to
teach all people to appreciate and value diversity.
Today, the mission of the Jacques Marchais Museum is to foster
interest, study and research of Tibetan art and culture through collecting
and preserving art, ethnographic objects, books and photographs and
interpreting the collection through exhibits, education programs, and
publications. But I feel the mission goes deeper than that. Technology
has made the world much smaller. By clicking a mouse we can view
a website that chronicles a trek up Mt. Everest. We can fly to almost
any destination in the world. We are citizens of a global society and a
global economy. To be successful global citizens, we must understand
and appreciate the distinct cultures of those around us. Museums can
play an important role in fostering this understanding. At the Jacques
Marchais Museum, we use the collection to educate our visitors in the
hopes that by learning about the uniqueness of Tibetan culture, they
will gain a deeper understanding of their own culture.
Student groups that visit the Museum are able to play Tibetan
instruments, listen to Tibetan music, and dress in Tibetan aprons
and chubas, garments that wrap around the body. They learn about
Buddhism and its basic tenets, and can compare this spiritual practice
to their own religion. Art workshops include creating sand mandalas,
and making Tibetan masks and jewelry. It is our hope that by focusing
on common threads, clothing, music and art, children will learn that we
are not so different after all.
6
Meg Ventrudo has been the director of the Jacques Marchais Museum
of Tibetan Art since July 2004. Prior to that she was the Director of
Exhibits and Education at the Museum of American Financial History
in New York City.
Art and the Urban Child
Many urban children are also children of generational
poverty. According to Ruby Payne’s book entitled
“Generational Poverty: A Framework for Understanding
Poverty,” a child may be lacking any of eight essential
resources: financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical,
support systems, relationships/role models, and knowledge
of hidden rules. This article will focus on relationships/role
models and knowledge of hidden rules.
Positive relationships are crucial and are built upon
respect. Sincerity shown through tone and body language
will cause these respectful relationships to flourish and
promote within them the desire to produce to their fullest
capability.
Art plays a vital and unique role in building positive
relationships through the informal nature of the classroom.
Teachers’ understanding the hidden rules of poverty is
essential. For example, the children’s proclivity toward
entertainment, expressing emotions, and an elevated
noise level are hidden rules that can easily be fulfilled
while producing fantastic artwork. Introductions to
projects emphasizing artists, technique, and/or essential
vocabulary must be kept to a minimum to avoid loss of
interest. Teachers who can be entertaining, humorous, and
spontaneous will keep these children hungry for more.
Respecting students also means project assignments that
are challenging but not frustrating or do not cause feelings
of inadequacy. If it is too difficult, they will shut down
and the renewal of interest will be very difficult. Projects
that celebrate individual personalities are ideal because
they release the freedom of expression and inspire more
trusting relationships.
Alexis C. Harris (Director) and
Maureen March (Art Teacher)
Hope Academy Charter School
Asbury Park, Monmouth County
AENJ Grant Winners ...
Chicago here we come!
Deborah Huff, AENJ Grants Chair
Congratulations to Allison Procaccci and Karen Kiick, this year’s
recipients of the AENJ Professional Development Grant, recently
renamed the Rick Lasher Grant.
Having had the good fortune to attend both the state and national
conferences over the past few years, Allison and Karen are not
new attendees to the local or national scene. Both women have
delivered high quality, cutting edge workshops on student directed,
teacher reflective, imaginative, out of the box strategies to take
your art program to the next dimension.
To quote Allison Procacci’s Supervisor, Wendy C. Statuto, “Allison
is a very talented and conscientious art educator, who possesses
and incredible passion for her discipline. This is a teacher who most
definitely thinks outside the box, thus challenging her students to
do the same.” Allison’s recent presentation at AENJ Conference
in October was titled “Imagination and Installation in Art.” During
the workshop we explored the 4th dimension of TIME as Allison
escorted us on a journey of an interdisciplinary art installation that
resulted in an experience of poetic interpretations of the written word
and sound, with the traditional and contemporary arts processes.
WOW!
(Continuted on next page)
Faith Ringgold’s Art Offers Positive Message
Cheryl Parisi
In May, 2004 I decided to
apply for an arts grant from
the
Target
Corporation.
Together with the Nellie
K. Parker School Nellie K.
Parker School (Hackensack)
music teacher, Diana Gross,
we requested a $3,000.00
grant in order to take the third
grade students on field trips
to various arts venues. That
September we received a letter saying that we were one of
the grant recipients. Once the shock wore off, we started
to plan our excursions. Mrs. Gross decided to take the
students to see a performance by Tom Chapin at the New
Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. Unfortunately,
due to time constraints, the plans I made had fallen through and I couldn’t take my class to the museum exhibit I had
originally planned on. Well, there was always next year. And I definitely wasn’t disappointed.
In September, 2005 “Anyone Can Fly - Faith Ringgold: A
Survey” opened at the Morris Museum in Morristown, New
Jersey. What a perfect gallery show for this year’s fourth
graders to see. Not only was the original artwork for the
children’s book “Tar Beach” on display, but also her quilt
work which she is known for, in major museum exhibits; as
well as soft sculpture masks and figures.
“Tar Beach”, based on a quilt that Ringgold did in 1988 was the first
among a number of books she wrote and illustrated for children that
illuminates the African-American experience during the time of the Harlem
Renaissance, as well as the lives of Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit. Stephanie Cruz noted that
“If you look at the paintings long enough, you feel like you’re inside them”.
Olivia Buckridge said “I liked the mask in the case closest to the Wilt
Chamberlain sculpture because of all the colors she used as well as the
beads. It was just beautiful!” Taylor Jordan really liked “Mama Can Sing,
Daddy Can Blow” because “They looked like they were having fun. The
squiggly lines were like the music was flowing around them and making
them happy.”
After the guided tour by the docent, the children went down to an arts
workshop area where they could begin to create their own version and
vision of a quilted image using various fabrics and tempera paint applied
to a small canvas. This was a terrific way to tie it all together.
Exhibits like this one are a great way to introduce children to the art
accomplished by people from cultures different from their own. Even if they
are from the same culture, it becomes a great history lesson. Museums
should put more of an emphasis on this.
As Ringgold noted in the book “Talking to Faith Ringgold,” “I am inspired
by people who rise above their adversity. That’s my deepest inspiration.”
As the exhibit title says “Anyone Can Fly!”
Discovering a New Jersey Artist: Eric Gibbons I met Eric Gibbons at the Kean University Membership Art
Show last June and was greatly impressed with him and his
work. Eric is an international artist whose work has been
exhibited in Hollywood, CA, Provincetown, MA, NYC, Paris
and the UK –just for starters. ARTNEWS has published his
work from July through December, 2005. All this incredible
art experience, plus he teaches full time as a high school
teacher in North Burlington County. As a fifteen-year veteran,
Eric has taught elementary students and high school, and
he runs his own art camp at the Firehouse Gallery. He has
been educated both in the United States and in Japan. He is
a composer, origami master, poet and published author.
At this year’s conference, I had an opportunity to speak
with him. Eric shared with me that he would always teach
art regardless of the art fame that surrounds him. He loves
the connections he makes with his students and does not
hide from the opportunity to catch missed opportunities to
connect. From the joy of last week’s football game to the
more serious discussions about life’s choices like drugs and
suicide, Eric is there for his students to listen and guide
them. He also learns from his students. “You can’t sell
lies to kids,” he shares with me; they have taught him to
Laura Cheney
be honest in his work. Being authentic in one’s work as an artist and
teacher is one of the guiding principles in Eric’s life. As an artist, Eric
is influenced by the masters like Hokusai, Michangelo, and Ingres. His
work is classical and he strives to create the
illusion of form. He paints life size sculptural
figures that seem trapped in a frame. The
paintings are purposely black and white
so the art appears to be separate from our
world. Currently, Eric’s work is on view at
the Roger La Pelle Gallery in Philadelphia.
For more information on Eric Gibbons (both
his work and his camp), please visit: www.
firehousegallery.com.
Interested in sharing your experience as
an artist/teacher? Please email me @
[email protected].
Impressed with our featured artist’s work?
Want to brush up on your figure drawing
skills? The National Academy School of Fine Arts offers Figure Drawing
Classes with Lisa Dinhofer on Wednesday & Thursday evenings as well
as Saturday mornings. Go to www.nationalacademy.org
AENJ Grant Winners (Continued from p. 6)
Karen Kiick’s colleague, Ellen D. Hargrove defines her as “a knowledgeable
enthusiastic, committed life long learner, who was awarded the Master
Teacher Award of 2004 by her peers at AENJ.” Karen’s presentation was
titled “Shifting Gears and Moving Forward”, a documentation of students
developing their own artistic ideas, inspired by Karen who presented
insightful strategies for self-assessment, and self- reflection on how to tune
up our lessons.
Both women are an inspiration and I’m excited to see where they will take
this professional development opportunity. Don’t miss their presentation
next October at the AENJ fall conference.
Please consider applying for a Rick Lasher Professional Development Grant
yourself. The deadline is May 15th, 2006. The 2007 NAEA convention will be
In NYC. Check ARTBEAT for details and jump start your own educational
experience! See you in Chicago.
7
Conference 2005
By Susan Bivona
Creating Connections…this year, it was more than just a
theme. Everyone who attended made the conference their
own, whether it was creating at hands on workshops, meeting
other Art Educators or participating in a roundtable discussion.
College students, new teachers, experienced teachers and
retired teachers were all out there making connections.
Monday offered the first time for people to get together with
6 hands-on workshops and 2 presentations to enjoy, after
registration of course! The night was highlighted by the
AENJ Celebration where several attendees were honored
and we celebrated Dr. Defibaugh’s first year as President.
Award winners include: Rick Lasher and George DiBouno
as Distinguished Art Educators; Sharon Reustle and Barbara
Calvo both received the Anthony Guadadiello Service Award;
The Toms River Regional Schools and Sterling Township High
School were both given the John Pappas Award. Division
Awards were given to: Carrie Davey – Elementary, Judy
Benson, Middle School and Harry Bower, High School. The
NAEA Professional Development Award was given to two
members, Allison Proccaci and Karen Kiick – we will see them
in Chicago. At the party, Anne Hickman brought her wonderful
world of insects to life.
Jeanne-Claude and Christo set the tone on Tuesday, with
their inspiring comments and wonderful presentation that
gave attendees a peek into their next amazing project. The
Sanford Grand Slam was a hit with 5 lessons presented along
with opportunities for teachers to get their hands on a variety
of Sanford products and yes, snacks! Evening activities were
also supplemented by the Light Supper, giving us that burst
of energy needed – its hard to sleep with so much going on.
Christopher Agostino gave the first of his two performances
– TRANSFORMATION Face Painting on Tuesday evening.
A few lucky audience members left with a new face. The
day would not have been complete without the Creative
Celebration – what a time to get a jump on Holiday shopping!
On Wednesday, Laura Chapman enlightened the crowd,
focusing on the impact of No Child Left Behind on Art
Education. Sax and Crayola teamed up again with their
exciting Dreammakers experience. If you didn’t get to check
out the Vendors, this was the day to meet old friends and look
for new items to inspire us all!
Other highlights included more exhibits than ever! In the
Exhibit Center, members had the opportunity to view; art work
selected for 2006 AENJ Calendar, the final 2005 NJ YAM
exhibit, the County YAM displays and the Palette Parade,
which we hope will become a yearly event. This year, the
palettes were created by AENJ Board members, in the future
they will be created by you; our members! The Artsonia exhibit
in the hotel was a treat for all!
It would be impossible for me to even begin to list all of
the people who helped make this conference happen –
you do know who you are, THANK YOU! If you think you
would like to be part of that group next year, contact me at
[email protected]. As our membership grows we need
more and more people to assist us so things run smoothly.
8
Looking ahead to 2006
I read each evaluation and there were many excellent suggestions!
This year I have an advantage, it will be my second time through
as Conference Chair. It is my intention to take as many of your
suggestions as possible and make them happen. Please understand
there are SOME things that are out of our control.
First, you should know that the 2006 Conference will be held at the
DoubleTree Hotel & the Garden State Exhibit Center. The dates are
– October 2, 3 & 4, 2006 (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). We
are aware that Monday is the end of Yom Kippur. You voiced your
concerns about the conference falling on the Jewish High Holy day
and we hear you!!! As I stated earlier, there are some things that are
out of our control. We book this conference 3-4 years into the future,
and looked at other venues. We have contacted both the Doubletree
Hotel and the Garden State Exhibit Center, unfortunately there are
NO dates open for next year. At this point we have to stick with the
dates we have. We have a whole year to plan and we will make
every effort to schedule the conference so our Jewish colleagues
have opportunities to attend as many presentations and hands-on
workshops as possible and miss out on very little! We have looked
at our future dates and this will not happen again! We hear and
understand your concerns and we will make sure all have a chance
to participate in and enjoy this upcoming conference.
UPDATED AWARDS INFORMATION
The AENJ Awards Committee, chaired by Valerie Negra, is now
accepting nominations for awards to be presented at the Annual
Conference, and at the Governor’s Awards. AENJ wishes to
recognize members who have achieved the highest level of
professionalism in visual arts aducation, and to show appreciation
to individuals and/or organizations who continually go above and
beyond to promote quality art education.
The Awards Committee urges you to nominate a colleague. Do
you know an Art Educator, Board of Education, Principal, or
Superintendent who should be honored? If so, go to the AENJ
Website (www/aenj.org), check out the many Award categories
and descriptions, download the forms...and you are set to go! It
only takes a few moments to nominate someone.
All nomination forms for Awards MUST be postmarked no later
than May 15, 2006, and should be sent to:
Valerie Negra, Historian, AENJ
Mountain Way School
205 Mountain Way
Morris Plains, NJ 07950 email: [email protected]
Congratulations to the 2005 Award Winners: Rick Lasher, George Di Bouno, Barbara Calvo, Sharon
Reustle. Harry Bower, Judy Benson and Carrie Davey as well as the Sterling High School Board of Ed,
and the Toms River School District
Palette Parade Marches Into
Conference aenj Palette Parade
Linda Devlin
The First Annual Palette Parade came marching into this
year’s AENJ Conference with all the fanfare of a Fourth of
July parade. Anyone walking into the conference could
not help noticing the crowd of people gathered around the
palettes on display. Members were genuinely excited by
the exhibit. I found it interesting to see the kaleidoscope
of styles and expressions in the work.
The idea for the parade was born with the intent to
provide a forum for our members to display their artwork
using a consistent format. To get the project started
the AENJ board members agreed to take the palette
challenge. There were no rules, just an empty palette
and an opportunity to create.
The reaction from our members was thrilling to all of
us who participated. We’d like to thank you all for you
comments and complements.
Now it’s time to look to next year. You are invited to
become members of the 2006 Palette Parade. Just fill out
the following application form. It’s not too late! Filling out
a second form will improve your chances. Ten members
will be randomly selected in the spring and those lucky
people will create their palettes for Conference 2006.
We can’t wait to see next year’s Parade!
Send your forms to
Linda Devlin ,Vice President, AENJ
415 Brandywine Ave. Forked River, 08731
Yes! I am interested in becoming a palette painter for the
2006 aenj Fall Conference!
Name
Home Address
City
State
Email
Zip
Phone
School
School Address
School Telephone #
District
County
Please mail this form to Linda Devlin, 415 Brandywine Ave,
Forked River, NJ 08731
Photos from
around the Conference!
From face painting,
lesson exchanges,
student roundtables to registration
and displays!
9
YOUTH ART MONTH
For All Our New Members: Welcome to AENJ!
For Our Renewing Members: Thank You for Rejoining AENJ!
One of the many member benefits is YOUTH ART MONTH.
What is Youth Art Month?
Youth Art Month is an annual observance each March to
emphasize the value of art education for all children and to
encourage support for quality school art programs.
How Do I Get Involved in Youth Art Month?
To find out what is happening in your county, contact your
county’s Chairperson. Art education does many great things. Yet, art education is often wrongly considered a “fringe” program. In
reality, it provides students skills they will need as adults. Art education
develops self-esteem and self expression, as well as appreciation for
the work of others. It also develops critical thinking skills that will be
important as children continue their education and as they enter the
working world. Our fast-changing environment will require that future
leaders - today’s children - be creative and imaginative in problemsolving. These skills are learned best by students involved in art.
YOUTH ART MONTH COUNTY CHAIRS:
Atlantic & Cape May Counties:
Sharon Reustle: [email protected]
Mercer County:
Tamika Diaz: [email protected]
Union County:
Carrie Davey: [email protected]
Bergen County:
Paige DeFelice: [email protected]
Middlesex County:
Rose Pennyfeather:
[email protected]
Warren County:
Kathleen Guiliano: giulianok@warrennet.
org
Co-Chair:
Leslie
Nemeth:
[email protected]
Burlington County:
Patricia Carper-Brown:
[email protected]
Co-Chair: Kathleen Cunningham:
[email protected]
Monmouth County:
Barbara Calvo:
[email protected]
Morris County:
Donna Schrader: donna.
[email protected]
Camden County:
Denise Lewis-Console:
[email protected]
Ocean County:
Holly Callahan: hlcallahan@jacksonsd.
k12.nj.us
Cumberland & Salem County:
Diane Driessen: [email protected]
Essex County:
Alonzrea Austin: [email protected]
Passaic County:
KathyBenevento:
Gloucester County:
Dot Clarke: [email protected]
[email protected]
Somerset County:
Deb Huff: [email protected]
Hudson County:
HELP! Seeking Site Chair!
Hunterdon County:
Marge Mayers: [email protected]
Sussex County:
Beth Delaney: [email protected]
FRONT LABEL for ALL Youth Art Month
Exhibits:
Cut out and securely tape to the bottom right corner of the artwork.
Please print neatly!
Art Educators of New Jersey
YAM Sponsored Exhibit
10
Student:_____________________________________________
Grade:__________________County:______________________
School:_____________________________________________
School District:_______________________________________
Art Teacher:_________________________________________
Title of Work:________________________________________
Medium:____________________________________________
ATTENTION BERGEN COUNTY ART
EDUCATORS!
Which dedicated, motivated and truly
enthusiastic Art Educators wish to be a part
of Bergen County Y.A.M. planning?!
You KNOW you do!
And who can plan an event as big and
exciting as Bergen County Y.A.M.?!
You KNOW we can!
E-mail Paige DeFelice (pdefelice@paramus.
k12.nj.us )and join our 2005/2006 Bergen
Co. Y.A.M. Committee.
As the number of participating schools
grows (over 55 schools last year!), so do
the responsibilities of planning, coordinating
drop-offs/pick ups, dispersing information to
our schools, writing/sending press releases,
and so much more.
Optimally, I would like to designate an
Elementary, Middle School and High School
Coordinator, a Public Relations Manager
and a few other key positions to insure
that this year’s Y.A.M. continues to be the
success it has grown to be.
Also, I think we all would agree that as
spectacular as a venue IKEA is, it just can’t
house all of the wonderful work we want
to exhibit! I am currently investigating the
prospect of adding additional venues to
YAM, so that we may have separate K –4, 5
– 8, and 9-12 exhibits. Suggestions?
Please e-mail me ASAP with your best
contact information (phone or e-mail) so
that we may begin to plan another fantastic
Y.A.M. Your suggestions and comments are
most appreciated! Thanks!
Laura Cheney. YAM Chair
[email protected]
Please Celebrate with us!
AENJ & ArtsCAP
OPEN MEMBERSHIP ART SHOW
on January 7, 2006
starting at 6:00 PM
Genesis Realty
568 Cookman Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Thank you to all the volunteers and participants
who made this happen!
Didn’t hear about the show?
Sign up for the listserv email service on our website:
www.aenj.org
11
Members in the News
NJPAC
Congratulations to AENJ members Audrey Schwind of Wayne
Hills HS and Molly Murphy of Princeton HS. Their students won the
Congressional District Art Competition in their respective districts
this past spring and now have their artwork on display in the U.S.
Capitol Complex in Washington DC. To find out about the upcoming
art competition in your district, call the office of your Congressman.
Competitions are usually held in April or May in the various 13
Congressional Districts of New Jersey.
Congratulations to those teachers who have student
artwork on display in the AENJ Fall NJPAC Student
Exhibit 2005. Participating Art Educators: Carrie
Davey, Roberta Vladimer, Linda Devlin, Jayme
Miller, Mrs. J. Onnembo, Laura Salley, Karen Bloch,
Maureen March, Nancy Knutsen, Mrs. Chesbro,
Alonzrea Stewart-Austin, Laura Petrovich-Cheney,
Cynthia Henn, Susan Lisbin.
Howell Township art teacher Nicoletta Siccone has been
recognized as “Art Educator of the Year” by the Monmouth County
Arts Council. The Monmouth County Arts Council is a private, nonprofit organization that is the official arts agency for Monmouth
County.
Mrs. Siccone is a graduate of Montclair State University and began
her teaching career in Jersey City. She has been teaching art at
Ramtown Elementary School for the past twelve years.
The next opportunity to have your student’s shine
and promote your program…
January 15, 2005, artwork deadline.
Ramtown School has been recognized locally and nationally for its
outstanding art program, including the New Jersey State Council on
the Arts, the NJDOE’s Office of Bilingual and Equity Issues and the
Japan-Fulbright Memorial Fund. The State Department of Education
honored Ramtown School with recognition as an Exemplary Model
Program for the interdisciplinary unit,”Making Art Relate to Culture”.
In addition, Mrs. Siccone applied for and won the Fulbright Memorial
Fund Award to Japan, being selected as one of two teachers to
represent the state of New Jersey on its inaugural trip in 1997.
Artwork that is or will mount to 12”x18” horizontal
image or 18”x24” vertical image.
Be sure to have the AENJ Student Exhibit back label
completed and attached to the back of each piece.
Mail to Nancy Knutsen, 156 South Triangle Road,
Hillsborough, NJ 08844 on or before January 15,
2006.
Start saving that artwork for an early spring
deadline.
Her recent award-winning application for the MCAC highlighted
the infusion of art throughout the school and community through
the school’s art website.
To learn more about
Ramtown
School’s
art program, visit the
Art Corner at: http://
www.howell.k12.nj.us/
Ramtown_home.aspx
For More informaton on these or
any articles in Artbeat, go to
www.aenj.org
Artbeat Deadlines
All Articles, Photos & Ads
due no later than February 21
Articles:
Submit as Word document
No fancy formatting. Please!
Photos: Digital (jpg)
Black and white preferred!
Please label pictures
Send To:
[email protected]
12
Member Services
Barbara Calvo
1317 Turner Avenue
Ocean, NJ 07712