The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival commenced the 2^nd year of its return and revival at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ on May 31^st, June 1^st and 2^nd. Thousands of students, teachers, parents and arts advocates from across New Jersey gathered at Ocean County College for the three day state-wide showcase and celebration the accomplishments in arts education by educators and their pupils. This educational and community driven event would not be possible without the generous support of the Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, New Jersey Education Association, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey State Council of the Arts.
The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival is the statewide culminating celebration of the arts dedicated to inspiring New Jersey teen artists, educators, professional artists and arts advocates from all across the state to unite as one grand and all-inclusive community. The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival strives to connect Teen Artists across the state to inspire collaborations amongst the young creative minds to invest in the pursuit of artistic professions and New Jersey Artist Network. Students and Educators from 16 different counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Somerset, Sussex and Union. Festival attendees partook in the Showcase-Adjudication process, Professional Development for teachers, the College Fair, Professional Guest Artist Performances and Master Class Workshops for students.
There were a number of Master Class Workshops offered for students such as Behind the Puppet Stage which introduced students and educators to the diverse and multifaceted art form of Puppetry, taught by Bart P. Roccoberton, Jr., Director of the world renowned Puppet Arts Program at the University of Connecticut. Some additional Master Class Workshops offered were Hip-Hop Dance taught by NYC Choreographer, Doug Elkins, Charcoal Portraits taught by Atlantic City based artist, Luz Sanchez and Ceramics: Empty Bowls Raising Hunger Awareness taught by sculptor and activist artist Mil Wexler. The bowls created by the New Jersey Teen Artists in Mil Wexler’s ceramics workshop will be donated to raise money for those in need at an event hosted by Bon Jovi’s Soul Kitchen in Toms River, NJ later in the Fall.
The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival, in addition, honored the 2017 Arts Educator of the Year, Valerie Y. Synder-Grollman, who was honored on June 2^nd at a ceremony for her dedication to her students and arts departments in North Brunswick Township High School. Selected Students as well were recognized by the State Festival for their artistic accomplishments in the form of nine individual State Showcase Scholarships, who are as follows: Jose Lapaz-Rodriguez for Dance, Isaiah Petit Compere for Theatre, Tyler Sacko for Instrumental Music, Olivia Youngman for Vocal Music , Kaite Nguyen for Filmmaking, Rebecca Oldham for Creative Writing, Sarah Vargas for 2D Visual Arts, Maria Lu for 3D Visual Arts, Carolyn Galgano for Photography.
The New Jersey State Teen Arts Festival will return again in the spring of 2018. please follow the State Festival on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat & YouTube: @NJTEENARTS and visit www.njteenarts.com to stay up to date with all things NJ Teen Arts!

2017 State Showcase Scholarship Recipients! Check them out!
Congratulations to all!
And thank you to Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation for supporting the 2017 State Showcase Scholarships!

Harrison H. Haney
NJ State Teen Arts Coordinator