The Alternative Press

 LIVINGSTON, NJ -  The evening snow blast of Mon March 18 did not stop community members from visiting the Livingston Arts Council Student Prospective exhibit.  The 62 Art pieces on display were created by LHS AP Art Students in Photography, Ceramics, Studio Art 2D and Digital Imaging.

"This is amazing professional art work!" said Principal Mark Stern.  The teachers will give them tough criticism and the stuff they come up with is truly phenomenal."

In addition to the art work being esthetically pleasing, students expressed deep emotional and social views through their pieces. AP Digital Imaging student Shivangi Khanna explained that her AP program required her to make 12 ‘conventional’ (theme) pieces and 12 ‘breadth’ (overall skills) pieces. 

"My theme is how history repeats itself," said Khanna.  She explained that her picture on display actually had three different images superimposed, coming together to express discrimination through time.  Her piece included images from the Martin Luther King monument and Vietnam monument in Washington DC. 

During the exhibit Mayor Rudy Fernandez spoke to guests about the importance of art education in Livingston.  He explained that when the Town Hall was being renovated one of the things he kept hearing was “make sure there is enough room for the art.”  He also presented the LHS Art Department with a Proclamation making March 2013 Youth Art Month.

Art education has been a huge part of Livingston Public School curriculum for decades.  Hugh Mahon, former Art Teacher and President of C.A.L.A (Council for the Arts the Livingston Area), has been working with the students since 1971.

He explained that when he started the art department was “loosely knit” and that each teacher was “doing his or her own thing in a vacuum”.   During the 1980’s administration sought to revamp the art program and created the jewelry and photography studio.

“It has justified itself and the money that has been spent on it,” said Mahon.  “From the TV studios to what I do - which is smear paint onto flat surfaces.”

Mahon explained that the Livingston Art program is what it is today because as technology changed and new mediums were available Livingston’s Art Department obtained them. 

As a result, famous artists, actors and other professionals in the industry have come out of Livingston High including Emmy award winning Brandon Bodow of Good Morning America, Tony award winning Nikki James, Tony award winning Stephen Oremus and many more.

The Student Prospective exhibit will be on display at Livingston Town Hall until Mon March 25.