Students create works of art in style of masters

By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN – Works of art in the style of reknowed artists such as Picasso, Haring, Dali, Monet and Nevelson filled a gymnasium at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School and drew praise from parents, teachers, administrators and guests during a special exhibit on the morning of May 12.

A group of 15 students who spent the 2016-17 school year creating vibrant works in different media proudly displayed their creations and saw them auctioned off with proceeds to be donated to the Monmouth County SPCA for the care of animals.

The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders who created the works of art were Zoe Buchansky, Meaghan Chan, James D’Andrea, Michael Imbriani, Richard “Sal” Knapp, Nathaniel Larrieux, Vincent Loporcaro, Chris Luna, Mya Miller, Liam Santostefano, Rhiannon Schmall-Dolinsky, Darnell Thomas, Giancarlo Troiani, Drew Turso and Kris Wall.

Kim Mayer, who teaches children with special needs, developed the art show in 2016.

“Last year I came up with the idea of running a non-graded art class for my students where they learn about artists and replicate their techniques and work. The class culminated in an art show at the end of the school year.

“Staff, parents and board of education members were invited to attend the show. It was a huge success not only in the eyes of the adults, but also in the eyes of these special needs students who were the stars of the show,” Mayer said.

“With that said, I ran the class again this school year, along with my colleague, Denise Riccio. We decided to up our game by culminating the class with an art auction and donating the profits to the Monmouth County SPCA,” she said.

The Monmouth County SPCA was selected as the beneficiary because in November, Brian Becker from the SPCA Law Enforcement Division spoke to the pupils about what the SPCA does and brought a therapy dog with him, Mayer said.

Mayer said MEMS’ Lambda community collected more than 600 items – treats, food, blankets, – to donate for animals that are rescued and cared for by the Monmouth County SPCA.

Ron Gill, a professional artist known as Gilosan, came to work with the pupils and shared what he does on a daily basis.

As MEMS Principal Robert Williams watched the artists whose work was on display guide their parents around the gym to show them what they had created, he expressed his admiration for the students’ skill and commitment to the project.

“This has been a year-long activity and the students have done an exceptional job from the beginning of the year to this culminating activity. An arts program is always a part of our school community. Everyone has talents in different areas,” Williams said.

Dotty Porcaro, the president of the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education, attended the art show and auction and praised the efforts of the students.

“I could not help but feel such a huge sense of pride as I walked around today viewing all of the students’ artwork. The Language Learning Disability (LLD) auction was a wonderful opportunity for the children to display their unique talents and to also support a great cause as all of the auction profits were being donated to the Monmouth County SPCA.
“The district is so fortunate to have wonderful teachers such as Mrs. Mayer, Mrs. Riccio and Scott Roskos who give their heart and soul to all of the students in the LLD program at MEMS.
“It truly warmed my heart to see the happiness on the students’ faces as their artwork was being auctioned off. I am the proud recipient of four of the pieces of artwork which I will be framing and having hung in our board room at the district’s headquarters. I am always excited to see all the wonderful things that are happening in the district,” Porcaro said.