Ridge Student Art Show, Living on the Edge, Was At Farmstead Arts

Ten fine arts classes at Ridge High School produced 90 pieces of art displayed over the long weekend on Jan. 14-17  in a show called "Living On The Edge, Concepts of Balance, Counter Balance and Intersecting Planes." The artwork was on display at the farmhouse at the township's Farmstead Arts, a non-profit center for the fine, performing and practical arts that was unveiled by the township last October.

The thematically driven show was developed by Ridge fine arts teacher Wendell Jeffrey. It was designed primarily for the students taking basic art classes, the exception being the third level Photo Thesis class at the high school, she said.

“It is really important for the students to see their work, and how it can be interpreted in another space,” Jeffrey said. Ordinarily, students from the participating classes, including Intro To Sculpture, Intro To Ceramics and Photo Thesis, would not have the opportunity to experience their work in a setting other than the classroom, she said.

Jeffrey said that if the work was confined to a classroom, rather than being placed at the arts center, students would have missed out on the realization that a piece of art can transcend itself in a setting other than the one in which it was created.

“Having the art in a setting other than the classroom contextualizes it. In the classroom it’s flat, where this environment has different lighting and is a more clean, and professional,” observed student photographer Emily Zaboski, whose work was on display.

The students' work was displayed throughout the historic farmhouse at 450 King George Road. “I had the privilege of coming to the Living On The Edge show and was quite impressed," said Bernards Township Mayor John Malay. "It’s great looking work housed in a perfect setting,” Malay said. A similar opinion was expressed by many of the 100 visitors to the show during its four day run.

The exhibit displayed works that deal with planes in representational ceramic, sculpture, abstract cardboard sculpture, and abstract photography designed by the students.

“For me, what’s important in this event is that the three disciplines dealt with the theme,” said Jeffrey. The Photo Thesis students were allowed free reign with all of the techniques and approaches to photography to illustrate their interpretation of the theme, she said. Their only unifying requirements in defining the theme were that they shoot with black and white film, develop the resulting photograph in the school darkroom and use the matte finish paper provided, she said.

The Intro to Ceramics students were required to develop their pieces utilizing the Architectural Slab Construction technique. “The students are asked to view themselves in the space; interior views versus exterior space,” said Intro to Ceramics teacher Bruce Morozko. Some of the students took on the task of studying master works such as the Eiffel Tower which was portrayed in the show, he said.

“Then (they) engaged themselves in the process of their interpretation” Morozko said. The Intro to Sculpture class worked in groups to illustrate their interpretation of the theme. They used large pieces of cardboard which resulted in life sized sculptures.

Upcoming events at the Farmstead Arts include Botanical Arts Show and Sale by artist Beth Murphy on Feb. 5 through March 6 that will include a reception with the artist on Saturday, Feb. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m., according to a news release from the arts center. An Introduction to Botanical Arts workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on upcoming events at the Farmstead Arts, call 1-347-9ARTS4U, or visit the center's website.