Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • February 19, 2014 FLOW Area District’s visual art program undergoes transformation by Frank J. McMahon The teachers and students at both Ramapo and Indian Hills high schools have transformed the offerings of the visual arts program over the past three school years. District Arts Supervisor Rich Burton, MA, M.ED, advised that there has been a 30 percent enrollment increase in the art department and the district was able to hire a tal- ented core group of teachers who brought their talents into the mix to help enhance fine arts program at both schools. According to Burton, students can now choose from an array of courses such as computer graphic design, levels 1 and 2; painting, levels 1 and 2; drawing, levels 1 and 2; ceramics and sculpture, levels 1 and 2; advanced art; and Advanced Placement art. In addition to these curriculum changes, Burton stated that both schools have increased the role the fine arts play at their buildings. He said stu- dent work is now being presented in art shows within the district and in competitions throughout the state, and both high schools have “curated” thematic presentations in their own galleries. The New Jersey state and district graduation require- ments for performing and visual arts is currently five cred- its. For students, this equates to two half-year courses or one full-year course. “Some students who have a profound interest in art stud- ies can now apply for AP experiences within each school building as early as their junior year,” Burton said, “and the biggest impact on each program has been the growing enthusiasm for the arts and the contributions of the arts teachers, as both instructional leaders and professional art- ists. Their efforts have enhanced the total school program immensely.” Burton advised that a “District Art Show: Yearly Art Gala,” which displays works from both schools, will be held on April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Indian Hills High School Art Gallery. Some of the student works on display include No trivial matter Jewell Smolenski’s “The Soldier” graphic design, and Indian Hills student Katie Lepore’s “Emotions” graphic collage. The staff of the visual arts program includes Daniel M Bertelli B.A.E.M.A, the district art department head teacher, who received a bachelor’s degree in art education with K-12 certification and a master’s degree in sculpture from Montclair State University; Lauren English, who teaches at Ramapo and received a BFA in fine arts educa- tion with a concentration in drawing and painting, and a MA in studio arts with a concentration in ceramics from Adelphi University; and Kimberly Batti, who teaches at Indian Hills, and holds bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and a master’s of fine arts from William Paterson University. Ridgewood Public Library invited residents to participate in Trivia Mania, a live interactive trivia game show. Children and adults were asked to answer trivia questions (many Super Bowl related), participate in high energy games, finish the lyrics, and dance to their favorite hits. The event was part of a week-long series of events and activities organized by the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce in anticipation of the Super Bowl. Trivia Mania is the signature event of Magic Cube Entertainment, a member of the Allendale Chamber of Commerce.