A rare opportunity for art students in the township is being offered by the Gloria Nilson office on Route 33 in the town center, as artwork from students in grades four through 12 is being displayed on th
by David Kilby, Special Writer
ROBBINSVILLE — A rare opportunity for art students in the township is being offered by the Gloria Nilson office on Route 33 in the town center, as artwork from students in grades four through 12 is being displayed on the windows around the whole office.
Dec. 9 was the first day the township’s art teachers hung up their students’ work and different drawings and paintings will be displayed throughout the week.
”We have such a great, exposed area, and art is meant to be shared,” said Kathy Goodwine, realtor at the Gloria Nilson office and the one who conceived the idea to display the student artwork.
”This just seemed like the perfect venue,” she added.
She connected with Kathy Foster, assistant superintendent of Robbinsville schools, and made arrangements for the district’s art teachers to come to the Gloria Nilson office to hang up the artwork.
Ms. Goodwine also said it was a fun way to reach out to the community, adding that if possible she would like to hang up new student artwork every season.
”We want to be a good neighbor to the community,” she said. “It’s a reason to bring people to the town center. If you have a kid you want to see your kids’ artwork displayed publicly — especially now during the holiday season.”
Kathy Tamayo, art teacher for grades four through six at Pond Road Middle School, said this makes the students more excited about their art, whether it’s their work or that of a fellow classmate.
John Burke, manager of the Gloria Nilson office, said they are excited to share this opportunity with the schools.
”It’s such an easy thing for us to do,” Mr. Burke said, “It’s a great way to put the kids’ work on display.”
He also said in the future he would be willing to put pictures of championship teams from the schools in the window as well, adding that these are all great ways to use the windows and connect with the community.
”It’s just a big win for everyone,” he added.
Jennie Leichner, Pond Road Middle School teacher for grades five through eight, agreed that this is a great way to “get the community involved.”
”Parents may not have the opportunity to see their children’s work,” Ms. Leichner said, adding that displaying their work at Gloria Nilson is “a great opportunity to show what we’re doing in art in the schools.”
The artwork on the windows varies from still life pastels to drawings of city streets, to black and white abstract art.
Ms. Leichner said there is art everywhere in daily life, even if it’s just basic designs on buildings, and it’s important to teach students to appreciate the many different art forms. Quoting an expression among artists, she said “‘Earth’ without art is just ‘eh.’”
Robbinsville High School teacher Jaela Johnson said her students’ artwork very rarely makes it outside the school building.
”Often they produce great work but don’t have the confidence to display it proudly,” Ms. Johnson said. “There’s no way of knowing if anyone else gets to see it.”
Freida Villepontoux, an art teacher in Sharon Elementary and Robbinsville High School, said this is a chance for her students to excel in something special and creative.
”It makes them feel they have something valued to offer when other people are noticing,” Ms. Villepontoux said.