Belleville Teens’ Artwork To Be Displayed In Newark Gallery

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Belleville Public School District. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Get ready for an unforgettable night of inspiration, creativity, and community! Artfront Galleries is proud to present a powerful new exhibition showcasing the voices and visions of Belleville High School students and their mentors. This extraordinary event is the culmination of a groundbreaking collaboration between Building Men, Artfront Galleries, and the Diversity Health and Wellness Department of the Belleville Public School District.

At the heart of this initiative is Building Men, a life-changing mentorship program created by Dennis Morolda that empowers at-risk young men to grow into leaders with strength, character, compassion, and purpose. Since its launch in Belleville in 2023 by Dr. Silvia C. Pastor, Supervisor of Student Health and Wellness, the program has taken off—now serving over 150 students across grades 6-12 with outreach beginning even in elementary schools.

But this isn’t just mentorship—it’s transformation through art.

Dr. Pastor teamed up with Dr. Joseph Putrino, President of Artfront Galleries, to bring a creative dimension to the program, guided by the department’s “You Are Not Alone” initiative. Through a powerful two-day workshop in April, students and mentors alike tapped into their deepest emotions, translating their personal journeys into bold, striking works of art using paint, texture, and words.

The result? A breathtaking collection of artworks—each one a personal testimony of growth, healing, and resilience—that will be professionally exhibited at Artfront Galleries, 44 Williams Street, Newark, starting Friday, May 2.

This opening night celebration will feature moving student presentations, heartfelt reflections from mentors and staff, and opportunities to connect with the Building Men movement and the mission behind Artfront Galleries.

Don’t miss this celebration of courage, creativity, and community. Come see how art can be more than expression—it can be transformation.

All are welcome. All are encouraged. Come support the voices of tomorrow.

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