Gifted art students are recognized for their prized work of art

Art students are creative—and that may be the theory on what inspires them to paint and draw.

Three seniors who are students in Elizabeth Stutzman Perti’s AP Art class at Bridgewater-Raritan High School are the prime examples of a creative artist.

And gifted ones at that, too.

Crystal Zhang revealed that she “was blinded by the light” when she flicked on her thoughts on what she will paint during her summer assignment.

“I was sitting at my dinner table over the summer and a beam of sunlight came through our window at home,” Crystal recalled. “The sun setting led me to put scattered colors in the background of my self portrait.”

Angela Xu’s desire for her self portrait was to  focus and highlight the background of her in the bathroom at home.

“I did a breakdown of the exterior of the bathroom and not of myself,” Angela explained. “I wanted to show off the physical surroundings of the bathroom and not myself.”

Meredith Thayer’s pet cat, who is named Dash, was what she modeled her painting of.

“I did research on what cats hunt and that is what I came up with,” Meredith said. “They hunt mice, birds and chipmunks and depicted the skulls of these animals in my painting."

All three of their works that they submitted were recognized when the Art Administrators of New Jersey (AANJ) held its 35th annual Emerging Artist High School Art Exhibition on Sunday, January 29, at Kean University.

In the ceremony at the James Howe Gallery that is located in the Vaughn-Eames Building on the college campus in Union, Angela, Crystal and Meredith were recognized for their submitted work in the art exhibit.

Ms. Stutzman Perti, who attended the affair with Dr.  Laura Bassett, the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District’s Supervisor of Arts Education, shared the feelings of all who were at the exhibition.

“After years of Covid, it was so nice to see parents and students in person for this reception,’ Ms. Stutzman Perti said.

The judges were impressed with the artwork that was submitted by the three Bridgewater-Raritan High students.
 

Here are the official award titles and the names of the  artwork that was exhibited by the three Bridgewater-Raritan High School students.
 

Angela Xu

Award of Merit

Bathroom Breakdown

 

Crystal Zhang

Honorable Mention

BOKEH

 

Meredith Thayer

Participation

The Little Devil

 

A colorful and active background surrounds Angela's self portrait. A beaming light that also offers various bright colors is displayed in Crystal’s painting. And Meredith’s artwork depicted her cat looming over its fallen prey.

According to Ms. Stutzman Perti, the result of the awards received by Angela and Crystal have made them eligible to apply for the Art Administrators of New Jersey AANJ Achievement award. 

The recipient of the achievement award will also receive a New Jersey's Governor's award in the spring. 

“Both girls have been encouraged to apply by submitting an electronic portfolio for a committee review. We wish them good luck in this endeavor,” Ms. Stutzman Perti said.

Dr. Bassett applauded the efforts of the students who had their artworks exhibited at Kean University.

“I am so proud of Meredith, Angela, and Crystal for having their work selected for the NJAA Emerging Artists showcase,” Dr. Bassett said. “I attended the gallery exhibit and award ceremony and was able to view artworks selected from high school programs across the state, and the quality of the work on display was incredible.”

Dr. Bassett also acknowledged the talents that the three seniors from Bridgewater-Raritan High produced and the source behind their showings.

“Our students represented Bridgewater-Raritan High School proudly and truly demonstrated the exceptional level of their work. Additionally, I want to thank Ms. Stutzman Perti, who guides and supports her students with creativity and care, and is constantly seeking opportunities to highlight the effort and talent of her students,” Dr Bassett declared.

Ms. Stutzman Perti has taught studio art classes at Bridgewater-Raritan High for 18 years with 19 years in the district. She has also taught all levels of studio classes ranging from Art I to AP Studio Art.

She had this comment to share.

“The AP Studio Art Drawing class is the highest-level studio art class in the district. The class is comprised of senior students who have taken studio art classes all four years of high school and are working on developing a body of related works that demonstrate an inquiry-based sustained investigation of materials, processes, and ideas.”

 

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