BERKELEY – A library is a showcase of ideas, recorded in ink on paper. When Central Regional High School held an art show in their library, it was a similar ideal.
Paintings hung on displays, sculptures stood out, masks looked back at the people looking at the art. Students got the chance to show off their talent – and show images that before this were only in their heads.
Many of the students are in Central’s Art Academy, teacher Lynn Fisher said. There were also entries from technical drawing, architecture, wood shop, and other classes.
There were roughly a thousand pieces shown that night, sourced from five art teachers and five technology teachers. A subject like photography or graphic design is a merging of both art and technology.
Ceramics blended the fine line of every day use and being for display only. Wood shop projects were also functional as well as attractive pieces in their own right. Fiber art was new this year, with kids making wool animals and other projects. If you wanted to play Berkeley Township-Opoly and take Bud the Dinosaur around the streets of Bayville, that was one of the board games designed. Some were silly, some were serious, and some were both.
The Art Academy was started just before COVID-19 hit, which erased any plans for gatherings like this for a while, Fisher said. This was a juried show, with judges awarding ribbons to five pieces in each category.
The artists weren’t necessarily making art for the award, but for some, it was the kind of recognition they needed. She shared a story of one kid who didn’t think his art was any good. Having it chosen for display put it in a new light for him, and winning a ribbon was a huge boost to his confidence.
