Chatham High School students Sydney Leung and Nina Belford have recently received awards at the Art Administrators of New Jersey (AANJ) Emerging Artists Exhibition held at Kean University’s Vaughn Eames Hall at the James Howe Gallery.
The prestigious program showcases the state’s most talented and gifted high school artists.
Belford received her recognition for her piece, Watchtower.
“I made the piece because it showcases how we constantly live in a surveillance state by our own peers and government,” Belford said.
Belford also plans to pursue art at several colleges, including Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Parsons School of Design.
Additionally, Leung was recognized for her pen-and-ink piece End of the Line at the ceremony. In school, Belford and Leung are currently enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) Drawing, instructed by Eric Hreha.
In celebrating students like Leung and Belford, the exhibition reflects AANJ’s broader mission to advance and support visual arts education across New Jersey.
For Belford, that impact is deeply personal. “Art is a good outlet for frustrations and my own insecurities,” she said. “I just like it when someone looks at my piece and just says ‘wow,’ it makes it all worth it.”
The exhibition featured pieces selected by educators and jurors for their originality, technical skill, and artistic vision.
It serves as both a recognition of student achievement and a vital platform for young artists to present their work in a professional gallery setting, often including notable honors such as awards and scholarships. Top participants may be nominated for the Governor’s Awards in Arts Education.
