Rumson Art Students 'Draw the Shore'

On Sunday afternoon, more than 200 pieces of artwork from students in Rumson schools will be on display with hundreds of others who are part of the one-day exhibit entitled Draw the Shore.

The family-friendly event will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Middletown Arts Center and feature the work of young artists from Rumson Country Day and Holy Cross along with other area private schools, including Ranney, Oak Hill Academy, Seashore and Sisters Academy.

Draw the Shore is a joint effort between the Foundation to Save the Jersey Shore, the Middletown Arts Center and art instructors at these area schools.

Besides celebrating the creativity and spirit of the young artists whose work will be on display, there is a therapeutic aspect to Draw the Shore.

“For our children, an important part of the recovery process from Sandy is a sense of closure,” explained Jen Diehl of Save the Jersey Shore Foundation. “Creating art projects that depict how they remember the shore, and how they hope it will be, gives them a sense of control and a way of expressing their feelings about what happened.”

“My students dove into the recovery theme with great enthusiasm,” reports Melissa Petersen, head of the art department at Rumson Country Day. Three of her 3rd and 4th grade classes are contributing work to Draw the Shore, along with a group of 8th graders. “They’ve created beautiful and original works inspired by the beaches, the amusements and the wildlife we find at the Jersey shore—with pastel, acrylic monoprints and watercolors.”

The event is free, and features some of the best-known performers in the area. Mr. Ray will be appearing between 1 and 2 p.m., Miss Sherri, of Honeychild Music, will appear between 2 and 3 p.m., and between 3 and 4 p.m., The Doodle Dude will entertain children with his cartooning. The family fun day will also include face painting, temporary tattoos and refreshments.

“This is another exciting aspect of Draw the Shore,” said Maggie O’Brien, Director of the Middletown Arts Center. “Many of the schools’ beloved art teachers will be on hand. Kids always get a special thrill when they see their favorite teachers out in the ‘real world.’ We are so honored to have them here.”

For more information on Draw the Shore, contact Maggie O’Brien at mobrien@middletownnj.org or jdiehl@savethejersey shore.org.

The Foundation to Save the Jersey Shore is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to assist homeowners and businesses within communities adversely affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The goal of the grassroots all-volunteer organization is to help the Jersey Shore maintain its position as a major economic force in the State of New Jersey. Save the Jersey Shore’s other targeted fundraising initiatives include Adopt-A-Home, Reigning Cats & Dogs and Project SOS (Save Our Season). For more information log onto www.savejs.org.