TCNJ Art Gallery Director to host first NJ K-12 Student Exhibition

EWING, NJ (05/14/2013)(readMedia)-- This summer, TCNJ Art Gallery, led by Director Emily Croll, presents Art, Innovation, and Ideas, an exhibition that will showcase exemplary artworks created by New Jersey's K-12 students, as well as innovative lessons designed by New Jersey's talented art teachers. The exhibition, co-organized by Dr. Lisa LaJevic, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Art Education, and Emily Croll, director of TCNJ's Art Gallery, will be on view in the Art and Interactive Multimedia (AIMM) Building from June 2 through June 23, 2013. Of the 430 artworks submitted to Art, Innovation, and Ideas, 122 submissions were accepted after review by a jury of contemporary artists, curators, and educators, including internationally acclaimed artist, illustrator, and author Faith Ringgold.

Ringgold, most known for her painted story quilts, has works in the permanent collections of many museums including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. She has received innumerable awards including twenty two honorary doctorates. She is a devoted advocate for art education and has illustrated sixteen children's books, eleven of which she also authored. Other jurors include New Jersey artist and educator Aylin Green; Baltimore-based sculptor and fine artist Christine Tillman; painter and director of Art Collaborations in Princeton Heather Barros; and TCNJ Gallery Director Emily Croll.

Art, Innovation, and Ideas is intended to connect student learning and art to current real world issues. It aims to exhibit meaningful two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and media artworks and to recognize efforts by New Jersey art educators to push the boundaries of the arts in K-12 schools. Dr. LaJevic comments, "As the world is changing, it is vital that arts pedagogy and curriculum reflects the world in which we live. As such, I support innovative art making that connects student learning and art to the real world, academic subjects, social issues, big ideas, and/or contemporary art."

The art submissions, which were received from more than 100 cities and towns across the state, will be reviewed based on the following criteria: student creativity; concept behind the work; ability to communicate an important message, story, or thought; and innovation. Preference will be given to artworks that challenge the traditional boundaries of the visual arts in K-12 schools and fulfill the mission of the exhibition to connect student learning to real life.

TCNJ Art Gallery is located in the Arts and Interactive Multimedia Building (AIMM) on the campus at 2000 Pennington Road in Ewing. In June, the gallery is open to the public free of charge Wednesdays and Sundays from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m and by special appointment for groups and school visits. For more information about exhibitions and programs at the TCNJ Art Gallery and for directions and parking, visit tcnj.edu/artgallery or call 609-771-2633. Exhibitions at TCNJ are funded in part by the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.