Packed Room for Montville Annual Ceramics Exhibit

Dozens of people filled the media center at Montville Township HS on Tuesday night to check out student and staff made artwork.

Montville MUDD 2014 is the second annual ceramics invitational and showcased artwork from students from seven high schools around the area.

There was plenty of representation from area schools: Vernon Township HS, Kittatinny Regional HS, Westwood HS, Northern Highlands Regional High School, Randolph High School, Roxbury Township High School.

“We had a great turn out tonight,” said Sharon Pflug-Moench, MTHS ceramics instructor. “I started it last year and we had a really good response and this year, there are a lot of student participating from other schools, which is encouraging. We also have seven universities participating.”

Representatives from several universities judged the work and gave first, second and third place awards in four categories: Wheel Thrown Functional, Wheel Thrown Sculptural, Hand built Functional and Hand built Sculptural, as well as one Best of Show Award to the most outstanding piece in the show.

“There are seven different schools represented and about 35 pieces,” Pflug-Moench said, adding that some of the pieces are not from students but from staff members from different schools. Staff pieces were not judged and each school could submit up to five student pieces to be judged; thus the peer selection process at each school was very competitive and selective.

Senior Jesse Warech submitted two pieces—‘Cracked’ and ‘Vortex’—and received first place in wheel thrown functional and second in wheel thrown sculptural.

“It’s a great event,” said Warech. “This is the second year. Last year was very good and this year is even better.”

The universities also had informative tables set up at the event to answer questions from prospective students. Also, Pflug-Moench’s pieces were raffled off during the exhibit.

“The artwork is great and we got a great response from our administration, the town as well as surrounding schools,” said Warech.

Did you go? What were your favorite pieces?