Cranbury residents have played a role in the creation of an art gallery at Princeton High School. The gallery opened its second exhibit March 9.
By: Brian Shappell
The Numina Gallery hardly resembles work that would be expected from a group of teen-agers.
However, this gallery run out of the second floor of the art room at Princeton High School, is almost completely student run. Three of the vital students are Cranbury residents Sarah Affel, Mike Golisano and Paul Kafasis
The Numina Gallery opened its second exhibit featuring the work of New York 3-D artist Miriam Schaer on March 9, under the direction of PHS senior Sarah. The three-hour opening attracted a steady stream of onlookers including students, parents, teachers, Princeton area professionals, members of the Princeton Arts Council and state representatives.
The turnout was impressive considering the students, with a little help from art history teacher John Cavallas, put on their first show just three months ago, prior to the busy holiday season.
"I got suckered into it by Mr. Cavallas," Sarah joked.
"It’s been really good for me," she said. "I didn’t know whether this was something I wanted to pursue. I had no idea how much I would like it."
The work of Ms. Schaer will be on display through April 6.
The gallery, located above the working art room, had to go through a large overhaul that included the janitorial staff erecting new walls and the clearing of years of stored school supplies. The first show featured the work of Princeton photographer Ricardo Barros, who has two children in the high school.
Mike and Paul, both seniors, were among other art history students from the advanced placement art history class who took positions with the gallery.
Mike and Paul are responsible for the graphic design and the Web site, respectively.
"They really do everything," Mr. Cavallas said. "There was an audience of kids who weren’t being served. When they were given the opportunity to do this, they really stepped up. Sarah is a natural."
The gallery enlisted the a professional in Paul, part-owner of an emerging software company called Subband.
Though the current exhibit has been open for only one week, Ms. Affel and company are looking ahead to an exhibit featuring thesis work by two PHS seniors in April followed by an exhibit of professional photographer Tony Gonzalez, which begins April 20.
Sarah is even thinking of ways to get the new group of curators ready for next year when she and several current curators have moved on to college. She said the increased interest from professionals in the gallery will be helpful.
"It will be a little harder next year, but we’ve been getting more of a reputation and press in the Princeton area," Sarah said.
Mike has been heading up the design work for the show, which includes drawing from pictures of the artist’s work to create promotional posters and invitations.
"I like the design part of it," Mike said. "It’s been really cool meeting with the artists on their view of the artwork so I can represent them best, while representing what the gallery wants." Mr. Kafasis was said he was impressed by the exhibit, especially in the contrasts in imagery such as quotes from a book about battle strategies being written on a kitchen apron.
"It’s a very interesting exhibit," Paul said. "I’m currently reading "The Art of War" and in Miriam’s work there are quotes from the book written on aprons. It is a very interesting contrast."
For more on the gallery: www.numinagallery.com.