Jefferson ARTS Committee Inc

06/01/2026

On behalf of the Jefferson Arts Committee and the Staccioli family, thank you to everyone who visited the Jefferson Township Public Library yesterday afternoon to meet Marc Staccioli, the son of the JAC's June Artist of the Month, the late Moreno Staccioli (1930-2013). The library's art wall displayed numerous art including landscapes, still life and portraits featuring local and Italian scenes and life styles in oil on canvas and board, watercolor and mixed media. The family also displayed photographs, newspaper clippings, etc. while renderings of his work and several small pieces displaying his woodcarver expertise in furniture making were on display as well in the Riker Room (those items were since removed as the room hosts many library activities during the week). Photographs do not do justice to the exhibit, so be sure to stop by the library anytime it's opened through the end of June to view it in person. Many pieces are tagged with information.

Moreno was born in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1930. As a child, he was enrolled in the Institute of Art and Design. Being so near Florence, he was formally trained in the techniques of the iconic Renaissance painters and European masters. He also held a great appreciation for the Modernism Movement and a passion for Abstract and Kinetic Art. At the age of 7, he became an apprentice in the family custom cabinetry/furniture business, joining his father and grandfather. It was there that he learned the intricate skills of wood carving and custom staining that he employed for his entire 60+ year career. In 1957 he came with his wife, Anne, to the US to raise their family and strike out for the American Dream. In 1963, he became a US citizen, a voraciously proud citizen. Always the first to stand, take off his hat and sing the national anthem. Moreno began his US career at Union Carbide in NYC designing display pieces. Tired of the commute (Rte. 80 and 23 weren’t complete then!) he began his custom furniture and cabinet career here in Je􀆯erson Twp. He continued his artistic avocation creating, sculptures, mosaics and mobiles (inspired by Alexander Calder), using wood, glass, metals, concrete and driftwood.

The many who stopped by not only enjoyed viewing Staccioli's various art mediums exhibited but were immersed in each piece that Marc spoke about with detailed information that he recalled from conversations with his father about the concept behind the painting. It wasn't a memorial but a celebration of his father's talent detailing life moments as a child growing up in Italy during the war to his life and artistry here in Jefferson Township with his family. His interests truly were not bound to one medium; and as with many artists, his talents had not been seen or shared with the masses until his passing.

In July, Staccioli's art work will be replaced with the JAC's July Artist of the Month Anne VanHentenryck.

06/01/2026

The Kelly/Smead Scholarship Awarded to Emma Sturtevant

On Thursday, May 28, Jefferson Township High School graduating senior Emma Sturtevant was awarded the Jefferson Arts Committee’s Kelly/Smead Memorial Scholarship by JAC President Carol Punturieri at the JTHS’ Honors & Awards ceremony. This $500 memorial scholarship is awarded yearly to a student who will be attending a two-year college majoring in an arts-related field. It is named after beloved members of the JAC – Rose and Jack Kelly and Debbie and Ben Smead -who did so much for the Jefferson Township community over the years including the establishment of the organization back in 1987. The JAC continues to bring events and activities to the community.

Sturtevant ranks 66th in her graduating class of 188 with a weighted GPA of 3.647; and because she is very passionate about art, she intends to pursue a Visual Arts major at County College of Morris. She has been a member of the ASL Honors Society and achieved Honor Roll for the past four years. Outside of school, Sturtevant has been a cheer coach, a volunteer at her church, and worked on projects through Girl Scouts.

She intends to work this summer while continuing to focus on her art creating new artwork and improving her skills as she prepares for her first year of college.
The JAC wishes her the very best as she pursues her goals.

05/30/2026

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05/29/2026

Time to vote for the painted library windows!

The Jefferson Arts Committee’s (JAC) second Window Painting Contest for Jefferson Township students was held on May 23 at the Jefferson Township Public Library. Several teams of students in grades 1 through 12 were assigned a window measuring 45” wide by 41” long. There was no set theme for a window creation, and students proved how creative they could be in developing their own theme using water-based acrylic paint and a vision for a glass canvas.

Now, the community is asked to vote for the winners among the teams who participated at the library, and while every participant should and will be congratulated for their artwork, prizes will be awarded accordingly for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place based on original design, use of color, and creative theme. The teams are – Team Ice Cream, Team Sauropods, Team Awkward Pigeons, Team Smith/Elguera, and Team Moore/Conroy and their team name is noted on each window.

Ballots with a ballot box are available on the small table in the entrance lobby of the Library located at 1031 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge – so take a moment and vote today as voting ends on May 31.

05/29/2026

https://www.tapinto.net/towns/jefferson/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/jefferson-township-art-students-celebrated-at-annual-reception

Note: The Student Artists of the Month program is sponsored by the Jefferson Arts Committee in cooperation with the Art Department at the Jefferson Township High School.

May 20 at Jefferson Township High School NJ Student Artists of the Month gathered for the year-end art reception. See standout works & creative journeys.

05/28/2026

Stop by the Jefferson Twsp Public Library this weekend for the first of five Adult Artists of the Month exhibits.

Jefferson Township resident Marc Staccioli will be showcasing the beautiful paintings of his late father Moreno (1930-2013), an
Immigrant, Husband, Father, Nonno/Grandfather, Artist

Moreno was born in the Tuscany region of Italy in 1930. As a child he was enrolled in the Institute of Art and Design. Being so near Florence, he was formally trained in the techniques of the iconic Renaissance painters and European masters. He also held a great appreciation for the Modernism Movement and a passion for Abstract and Kinetic Art.

At the age of 7 he became an apprentice in the family custom cabinetry/furniture business joining his father and grandfather. It was there that he learned the intricate skills of wood carving and custom staining that he employed for his entire 60+ year career.

In 1957 he came with his wife, Anne, to the US to raise their family and strike out for the American Dream. In 1963 he became a US citizen, a voraciously proud citizen. Always the first to stand, take o􀆯 his hat and sing the national anthem.

Moreno began his US career at Union Carbide in NYC designing display pieces. Tired of the commute (Rte. 80 and 23 weren’t complete then!) he began his custom furniture and cabinet career here in Je􀆯erson Twp. He continued his artistic avocation creating, sculptures, mosaics and mobiles (inspired by Alexander Calder), using wood, glass, metals, concrete and driftwood.

His canvases were mostly oil or watercolor but also pencil, charcoal and pastels. His custom furniture pieces are amazing art pieces in their own right with extensive carving (many taking months to a year to finish. One piece made from dead standing oak harvested locally. The large piece was donated to the town, but was returned years later due to space constraints at the municipal building) . All of the art forms that he studied/emulated as a young person carried over to all of his works throughout his life.

His interests truly were not bound to one medium and as with many artists his talents have not been seen or shared with the masses until his passing.

05/27/2026

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05/25/2026

05/25/2026

STUDENT ARTISTS OF THE MONTH RECOGNIZED

The Jefferson Arts Committee (JAC) held its annual year-end art exhibit and reception on May 20 in the Jefferson Township High School Media Room. Many of the students recognized from November 2025 through April 2026 as their school’s Student Artists of the Month attended with their family. The students’ artwork was displayed for all to admire; and their art teachers were there as well, several of whom had some of their own personal artwork on display.

The Student Artists of the Month is a program co-sponsored by the Jefferson Arts Committee and the art teachers in the Jefferson Township School District under the supervision of Fine Arts Supervisor Maria Dunbar. The art teachers each select students every month who have displayed exceptional work during that month and designate them as Student Artists of the Month for their school. Each month, these students are invited to an awards presentation at the Jefferson Township Public Library where they are presented with a Certificate of Achievement and a Fine Arts Medallion.

Susie Wright, JAC’s Student Artists of the Month chairperson, welcomed everyone. “It’s been another exciting year of appreciating and celebrating the talents and imaginations of our K-12 students. Every month feels like Christmas when we get to see what the new pieces are to hang up at the library.”

Wright introduced the event’s guest speaker - former Jefferson Township resident Tamara Peel via ZOOM who is Wright’s daughter. Peel started painting as a toddler displaying her creativity, enjoying various art classes in California where she grew up learning from several local artists. The family eventually moved to New Jersey where Peel explored other forms of art including jewelry making, eventually becoming quite adept and selling her pieces at farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and her grandmother’s thrift shop. Over the years, she explored different media, took classes that she really enjoyed, and kept seeking to incorporate different aspects of art into her life.

Tamara earned her BFA in Studio Arts at Johnson State College in Vermont. She continues to create daily, although more of her work is digital now. She submits pieces to various competitions and sells her crocheted and knitted items at the local farmer’s market each summer. She has a partnership with Fine Art America where her designs can be printed onto a variety of items from puzzles to mugs to towels to tote bags and more. She hopes to always keep exploring and learning new skills and never wants to be limited in her creativity
With varied experience as an artisan, thespian, and teacher, Peel shared her playful, adventurous spirit and experimental approach to her art and life with the art show’s attendees.

Living in Vermont since 2021 with her fiancé, Peel continues to think about new projects and new ways of being creative and now wants to try working with resin.

The audience attentively listened Peel’s presentation as she displayed her experience with painting, crocheting, printing, and jewelry making. She encouraged the students to try new things and explained that there were no mistakes in art. Quoting the famous painter Bob Ross, she said “We don’t make mistakes, just have happy accidents.” Several audience members including some of the students asked her questions which she happily answered.

Following the presentation, the children moved to a different section of the room where several Jefferson Township High School students guided them in making very attractive colorful stenciled bags that read “I (heart) ART @ jths”. It was a fun art activity that everyone enjoyed as the teachers and attendees mingled among the students.

Everyone then moved on to snacks and refreshments provided by the Jefferson Arts Committee. At the invitation of the district art teachers, the attendees were invited to move on to the upper-class cafeteria where the district’s art teachers had set up the annual JTHS visual art show celebrating the creativity of the school’s art students.

05/25/2026

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP ART TEACHERS

JENNIFER TAMAYNE-HETTEMA
White Rock, E.T. Briggs & Arthur Stanlick Elementary Schools
Grades Kindergarten to 3rd grade
RENEE TREVENEN
Jefferson Township Intermediate School
Grades 6 to 8
ANTHONY ARGONDIZZO
Jefferson Township Intermediate School
Grades 4 to 5
DAVID DEVRIES
STEPHANIE WASSMER
KAIA CANALES
Jefferson Township High School
Grades 9 to 12
MARIA DUNBAR
Supervisor of Fine Arts-Jefferson Township School District