North Warren Art Students Exhibit Their Best

July 2, 2024

Marta Rozalski was awarded a $100,000 scholarship to Moore College of Art. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Art students at North Warren Regional High School brought out their best, as the school year closed, with more than a few of the artists pursuing their creative abilities after graduation.

Lyla Perez brings a bit of noir vibe to the art show. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Bridgette Meeks reflects on her work. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Alisia Garis and a friend. Photo by Joe Phalon.

In addition to the May 30 art show at the high school, a high point of the year was North Warren’s showing at the prestigious Mt. Olive Art Invitational, where several major scholarships were awarded.

This included Ciara D’Onofrio, who was awarded full tuition and room and board to Savannah College of Art and Design’s pre-college summer program; Marta Rozalski, winner of a $100,000 scholarship to Moore College of Art as well as a scholarship to William Paterson University; Madalyn Hawkswell, who was awarded a $100,000 scholarship to William Paterson University; and Brooke Salmon won a third place ribbon in the extremely competitive drawing category.

“North Warren students are phenomenal. I don’t know what it is,” said art teacher and advisor Kelly Laverde. “As soon as I started working here, I noticed a huge difference in these kids. They’re incredible.”

The students obviously produced the art featured at the show but they also produced the event themselves, Laverde said.

“They put the show together, they do everything,” Laverde said. “So it’s a really, really neat experience for them and for us to get to show off all the work they do all year.”

The show featured over 300 works by more than 40 students. Many different mediums were represented including oils and acrylics, pastels, drawing, computer graphics, AI-assisted art and wood and metalwork.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.